2008 PONTIAC VIBE manual transmission

Keys...............................................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation.......................................2-4
Doors and Locks.............................................2-7
Door Locks....................................................2-7
Power Door Locks..........................................2-8
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-9
Liftgate/Liftglass............................................2-10
Windows........................................................2-12
Manual Windows..........................................2-12
Power Windows............................................2-13
Sun Visors...................................................2-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-14
Immobilizer..................................................2-14
Immobilizer Operation (Canada Only)...............2-15
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-18
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-18
Ignition Positions..........................................2-19
Starting the Engine.......................................2-20
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-22
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-23
Overdrive Off...............................................2-25
Manual Transmission Operation......................2-26
Parking Brake..............................................2-27Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)............................2-28
Shifting Out of PARK (P)...............................2-30
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission).....2-31
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-31
Engine Exhaust............................................2-32
Running the Engine While Parked...................2-32
Mirrors...........................................................2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar®..............2-33
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-34
Outside Remote Control Mirrors......................2-34
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-35
OnStar
®System.............................................2-35
Storage Areas................................................2-39
Glove Box...................................................2-39
Cupholder(s)................................................2-39
Coinholder(s)................................................2-39
Instrument Panel Storage...............................2-39
Center Console Storage.................................2-39
Floor Mats...................................................2-39
Luggage Carrier...........................................2-40
Rear Storage Area........................................2-41
Rear Cargo Accessory Track System...............2-42
Cargo Cover................................................2-42
Cargo Tie Downs..........................................2-42
Sunroof.........................................................2-43
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition
switch, you can turn it to
four different positions.
Notice:If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you
cannot turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the key
hard. Turn the key only with your hand. Using a
tool to force it could break the key or the ignition
switch. If none of these work, then your vehicle
needs service.
(A) LOCK/OFF:This is the only position from which
you can remove the key. This locks your steering wheel,
ignition and automatic transmission. Push in the ignition
switch as you turn the key toward you.If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition switch
cannot be turned to LOCK/OFF unless the shift lever is in
PARK (P).
{CAUTION:
On manual transmission vehicles, turning the
key to LOCK/OFF will lock the steering column
and result in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle.
This could cause a collision. If you need to turn
the engine off while the vehicle is moving, turn
the key only to ACC/ACCESSORY. Do not push
the key in while the vehicle is moving.
(B) ACC/ACCESSORY:This position operates some of
your electrical accessories, such as the radio, but not the
ventilation fan. It unlocks the steering wheel and ignition.
To move the key from ACC/ACCESSORY to LOCK/OFF,
push in the key and then turn it to LOCK/OFF.
2-19

Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in NEUTRAL and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal down 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 the engine
gets warm. Do not race the engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine and transmission
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 ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF.
When using a key with a transponder chip and
while starting the engine, do not use a key with thekey ring touching the key grip or other transponder
chip keys nearby. This may cause the engine
not to start or may stop it soon after it starts.
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 let the cranking motor cool down.
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 transmission gently until the oil warms
up and lubricates all moving parts.
Notice:The 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/retailer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
2-21

Manual Transmission Operation
Five-Speed Transmission
FIRST (1):Press the
clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then, slowly
let up on the clutch pedal
as you press the
accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST (1) when you are going less
than 20 mph (32 km/h). If you have come to a complete
stop and it is hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shift
lever in NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch. Press
the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1).
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 transmission.
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.
2-26

Shift Speeds
{CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you
could lose control of your vehicle. You could
injure yourself or others. Do not shift down
more than one gear at a time when you
downshift.
This chart shows when to shift to the next gear for the
best fuel economy.
Manual Transmission Recommended
Shift Speeds
Engine 1 to 2
or 2
to 12to3
or 3
to 23to4
or 4
to 34to5
or 5
to 45to6
or 6
to 5
1.8 L15 mph
24 km/h25 mph
40 km/h40 mph
64 km/h45 mph
72 km/h—
If your speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h), or if the
engine is not running smoothly, you should downshift to
the next lower gear. You may have to downshift two or
more gears to keep the engine running smoothly or for
good performance.
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. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
2-27

Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
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 4-27.
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/retailer 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.
2-31

{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 the 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
Transmission) on page 2-28.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-27.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move it up
or down and side to side. The day/night adjustment
allows you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the
lamps behind you. Push the tab forward for daytime
use and pull it for nighttime use.
The mirror may have lights located on the bottom of
the mirror. Press the button next to each light to turn it
on or off.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Hold the mirror in the center to move it up or
down and side to side. The day/night adjustment allows
you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the lamps
behind you. Move the lever to the right for nighttime
use and to the left for daytime use.
There may also be three OnStar
®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror face. See your dealer/retailer for
more information on the system and how to subscribe to
OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-35for more
information on the services OnStar®provides.
2-33

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-22.
B. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-26.
C. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-20.
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
E. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-42.
F. Rear Window Defogger Button. See “Rear Window
Defogger” underClimate Control System on
page 3-20.
G. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-30. Front
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light.
SeeSafety Belt Reminders on page 3-28.
H. Power Remote Control Mirror Button. SeeOutside
Remote Control Mirrors on page 2-34.
I. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-16.
J. Rear Liftglass Release Button. SeeLiftgate/Liftglass
on page 2-10.
K. Tire Pressure Monitor Reset Button. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor System on page 5-57.
L. Coinholder. SeeCoinholder(s) on page 2-39.M. TRAC OFF Button. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-6.
N. Content Theft-Deterrent Security Light. SeeContent
Theft-Deterrent on page 2-16.
O. Storage Compartment. SeeInstrument Panel
Storage on page 2-39.
P. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever and Exterior Lamp
Stalk. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever on
page 3-7andExterior Lamps on page 3-14.
Q. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-10.
R. Tilt Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-7.
S. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
T. Cruise Control Lever (Option). SeeCruise Control
on page 3-11.
U. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-19.
V. Windshield Wiper Lever. SeeWindshield Wipers
on page 3-9.
W. Cigarette Lighter or Accessory Power Outlet.
SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter on page 3-19
orAccessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-18.
X. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-23orManual Transmission Operation
on page 2-26
.
3-5