2007 PONTIAC VIBE stop start

Reclining Seatbacks
{CAUTION:
You can lose control of the vehicle if you
try to adjust a manual driver’s seat while
the vehicle is moving. The sudden
movement could startle and confuse you,
or make you push a pedal when you do
not want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only
when the vehicle is not moving.
{CAUTION:
If the seatback is not locked, it could
move forward in a sudden stop or crash.
That could cause injury to the person
sitting there. Always push and pull on the
seatback to be sure it is locked.
The seats have manual reclining seatbacks. The
lever used to operate them is located on the
outboard side of the seats.
10

Testing the Alarm
To test the alarm, do the following:
1. Open all the windows.
2. Set the system as described in the previous
procedure. The doors and liftgate should be
locked with the key or remote keyless
entry transmitter. Be sure to wait until the
indicator light starts ashing.
3. Unlock the driver’s door from the inside. The
system should activate the alarm.
4. Stop the alarm as described in the disarming
procedure following.
5. Repeat this operation for the other doors. Also
check that the system is activated when the
battery terminal is disconnected and then
reconnected.
If the system does not work properly, have it
checked by your dealer.
How the System Alarm is Activated
The system will activate the alarm under the
following conditions:
If the driver’s or front passenger’s door is
unlocked or if any of the other doors or
the liftgate is forcibly opened without the key
or remote keyless entry transmitter.
If the battery terminal is disconnected and
then reconnected.
If the ignition is hot-wired.
If the side window glass is broken or damaged.
The indicator light will come on when the
system is activated.
If the driver’s or front passenger’s doors are
unlocked without using the key or remote keyless
entry transmitter, the other doors and the
liftgate will be automatically locked again.
After one minute the alarm will automatically stop
and the indicator light will start ashing again.
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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

2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator
pedal all the way to the oor and holding it
there as you hold the key in START for up to
a maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If
the vehicle starts briey but then stops again,
do the same thing. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. Do not race the
engine immediately after starting it. Operate
the engine and transaxle gently until the
oil warms up and lubricates all moving parts.Notice:Your engine is designed to work with
the electronics in your vehicle. If you add
electrical parts or accessories, you could
change the way the engine operates. Before
adding electrical equipment, check with
your dealer. If you do not, your engine might
not perform properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranty.
Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may have an engine coolant heater.
In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder,
the engine coolant heater can help. You will get
easier starting and better fuel economy during
engine warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater
should be plugged in a minimum of four hours
prior to starting your vehicle. At temperatures
above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant heater is
not required.
106

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

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

Flash-to-Pass
With the lever in the low-beam position, pull the
lever toward you to momentarily switch to
high beams (to signal that you are going to pass).
If you have the headlamps on when you release
the lever, they will return to the low beams.
Windshield Wipers
The lever on the right side of the steering column
controls the windshield wipers and washer.Move the lever to one of the following positions:
MIST:Move the lever to MIST, for a single wiping
cycle. Hold it there until the wipers start, then
let go. The wipers will stop after one wipe.
OFF:Move the lever to this position to turn the
wipers off.
INT (Intermittent):Move the lever to INT to
choose a delayed wiping cycle. The time between
wipes can be changed by turning the INT band.
Turn the band forward or rearward for a longer or
shorter delay interval. This position is useful in
light rain or snow, rather than continuous wiping.
LO (Low):Move the lever to LO for steady
wiping at low speed.
HI (High):Move the lever to HI for steady wiping
at high speed.
REAR:Turn the end of the lever upward to LO or
HI, to turn on the rear window wiper. The wiper
does not work with the rear liftglass open.
141