2009 PONTIAC VIBE lock

Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories may be
used for less than a minute after
the engine is turned off.
Power Windows, if equipped
Sunroof, if equipped
The power windows and sunroof
will continue to work for less than a
minute or until either front door is
opened. The radio will work when
the key is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY.
Starting the Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart
when you are already moving,
use N (Neutral) only.
Notice:Shifting into P (Park)
with the vehicle moving could
damage the transmission.
Shift into P (Park) only when
your vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in
NEUTRAL and the parking brake
engaged. Hold the clutch pedal
to the oor and start the engine.
The vehicle will not start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition to START.
When the engine starts, let go of
the key. The idle speed will go
down as the engine gets warm.
Vehicles equipped with
the 1.8L engine have 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 about 30 seconds or until the
vehicle starts. If the engine doesnot start and the key is held in
START for many seconds,
cranking will be stopped after
25 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.
Vehicles equipped with the
2.4L engine should not be
cranked for more than
30 seconds at a time.
This may overheat the
starter and wiring systems.
Notice:Holding the key in
START for longer than 15 seconds
at a time will cause the battery to
be drained much sooner. And
the excessive heat can damage
the starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to
help avoid draining the battery
or damaging the starter.
8-4 Driving and Operating
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

4. Before starting the engine, be
sure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep
it away from moving engine
parts. If you do not, it could
be damaged.
The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on
several factors. Ask a dealer/retailer
in the area where you will be parking
the vehicle for the best advice
on this.Automatic Transmission
Operation (Four Speed)
The shift lever is located on the
console between the seats.
P (Park):This position locks the
front wheels. It is the best position
to use when you start the engine
because the vehicle cannot
move easily.
{CAUTION
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the 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 the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift
lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park on page 8-13. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 9-77.
Make sure the shift lever is
fully in P (Park) before starting
the engine. The vehicle has
an automatic transmission
shift lock control system.
8-6 Driving and Operating
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

It can help control vehicle speed as
you go down steep mountain roads,
but then you would also want to use
the brakes off and on.
L (Low):This position reduces
vehicle speed even more than
2 (Second) without using the brakes.
You can use it on very steep hills,
or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in L (Low),
the transmission will not shift
into low gear until the vehicle
is going slow enough.Automatic Transmission
Operation (Five Speed)
The shift lever is located on the
console between the seats.
P (Park):This position locks the
front wheels. It is the best position
to use when starting the engine
because the vehicle cannot move
easily.
{CAUTION
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the 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 the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift
lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park on page 8-13. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 9-77.
Make sure the shift lever is
fully in P (Park) before starting
the engine. The vehicle has
an automatic transmission
shift lock control system.
8-8 Driving and Operating
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

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.If you are towing a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 9-77.
Shifting Into Park
{CAUTION
It can be dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the shift lever is not
fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake rmly set. The vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 9-77.To shift into P (Park), do the
following:
1. Hold the brake pedal down
and set the parking brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 8-12
for more information.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park)
by pushing the lever all the way
toward the front of the vehicle
and to the left.
3. Turn the ignition key to
LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with
you. If you can leave the vehicle
with the key in your hand, the
vehicle is in P (Park).
Driving and Operating 8-13
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Leaving Your Vehicle
With the Engine Running
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION
It can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
The vehicle could move suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running,
it could overheat and even catch
re. You or others could be
injured. Do not leave the vehicle
with the engine running.
If you have to leave an automatic
transmission vehicle with the engine
running, be sure the vehicle is in
P (Park) and the parking brake
is rmly set before you leave it.
Torque Lock (Automatic
Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you
do not shift into P (Park) properly, the
weight of the vehicle may put too
much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may nd it
difficult to pull the shift lever out of
P (Park). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the
parking brake and then shift into
P (Park) properly before you leave
the driver seat. To nd out how, see
Shifting Into Park on page 8-13.
Move the shift lever out of P (Park)
before you release the parking
brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may
need to have another vehicle push
yours a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the parking pawl in
the transmission, so you can pull the
shift lever out of P (Park).
Shifting Out of Park
This vehicle has an electronic shift
lock release system. The shift
lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal
unless the shift lever is in
P (Park).
Prevent movement of the shift
lever out of P (Park), unless
the ignition is in ON/RUN and
the brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case of
an uncharged or low voltage
(less than 9 volt) battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting on
page 9-71for more information.
8-14 Driving and Operating
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

To shift out of P (Park) use the
following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Move the shift lever to the
desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of
P (Park):
1. Fully release the shift lever.
2. Hold the brake pedal down.
3. Move the shift lever to the
desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift
lever from P (Park), consult your
dealer/retailer or a professional
towing service.Parking the Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Before you get out of the vehicle,
move the shift lever into R (Reverse),
and rmly apply the parking brake.
Once the shift lever has been placed
into R (Reverse) with the clutch
pedal pressed in, you can turn the
ignition key to LOCK/OFF, remove
the key and release the clutch.
If you are parking on a hill, or if
the vehicle is pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 9-77.
Evaporation Pump
The vehicle is equipped with
a vacuum pump for the 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.
Driving and Operating 8-15
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Parking Over Things
That Burn
{CAUTION
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION
Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and
even death.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
The vehicle idles in areas
with poor ventilation (parking
garages, tunnels, deep snow
that may block underbody
airow or tail pipes).
The exhaust smells or
sounds strange or different.
The exhaust system leaks
due to corrosion or damage.
The vehicle’s exhaust system
has been modied, damaged
or improperly repaired.
There are holes or openings
in the vehicle body from
damage or after-market
modications that are not
completely sealed.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
If unusual fumes are detected or
if it is suspected that exhaust is
coming into the vehicle:
Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
Have the vehicle repaired
immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed
area such as a garage or a
building that has no fresh air
ventilation.
8-16 Driving and Operating
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Antilock
Brake System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that
will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and
begin to drive away, ABS will check
itself. You might hear a momentary
motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on, and you might even
notice that the brake pedal moves a
little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS,
this warning light will stay on.
SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on page 4-18.Let us say the road is wet and you
are driving safely. Suddenly, an
animal jumps out in front of you.
You slam on the brakes and continue
braking. Here is what happens
with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling,
the computer will separately work
the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed
and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time you need to get your foot
up to the brake pedal or alwaysdecrease stopping distance. If you
get too close to the vehicle in front of
you, you will not have time to apply
the brakes if that vehicle suddenly
slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though
you have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down rmly and
let antilock work for you. You might
hear the antilock pump or motor
operate, and feel the brake
pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
you more than even the very best
braking. United States
Canada
8-20 Driving and Operating
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual