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2003 Pontiac Vibe Owner's Manual - Page 107

2003 Pontiac Vibe Manual

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Automatic Light Control (ALC) Your vehicle is equipped with 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, your ALC will turn on your low-beam headlamps at the normal brightness along with other lamps such as the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and instrument panel lights. The parking brake must be released for ALC to work. This is indicated by the headlamp symbol on your instrument panel cluster. If you are driving through a parking garage, overcast weather, or a tunnel, the ALC may turn on your low-beam headlamps at a normal brightness along with the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the instrument panel lights. The radio lights will be dimmer, and the instrument panel cluster lights may dim. There will be a 10 to 15 second delay before the lights will turn on when starting the car at night. Daytime Running Lamps 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 first sold in Canada. The DRL system will make your headlamps come on at a reduced brightness when the following conditions are met: D The ignition is on with the engine running, D the exterior lamps switch is off and D the parking brake is released. When the DRL are on, only your headlamps will be on at a reduced brightness. The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won't be on. Your instrument panel won't be lit up either. When you turn the exterior lamp switch to the headlamp position, your DRL will go off and your headlamps will come on. The other lamps that come on with your headlamps will also come on. Lamps On Reminder If you turn the ignition to LOCK or ACC and leave the lamps on, you'll hear a tone when you open the driver's door. 2-43

Section	Page
2003 Pontiac Vibe Owner's Manual	1
Table of Contents	2
Copyright General Motors Corporation 2002	3
How to Use this Manual	4
Safety Warnings and Symbols	4
Vehicle Damage Warnings	5
Vehicle Symbols	5
Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems	7
Seats and Controls	8
Manual Front Seats	8
Driver's Seat Height Adjuster	9
Reclining Front Seatbacks	9
Head Restraints	11
Rear Seats	12
Rear Folding Seatback	12
Front Passenger Folding Seatback	13
Safety Belts: They're for Everyone	15
Why Safety Belts Work	16
Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers	19
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	20
Adults	20
Driver Position	20
Lap-Shoulder Belt	20
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster	22
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	27
Right Front Passenger Position	28
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)	28
How the Air Bag Systems Work	31
Where are the air bags?	31
When should an air bag inflate?	33
What makes an air bag inflate?	33
How does an air bag restrain?	34
What will you see after an air bag inflates?	34
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle	37
Safety Belt Pretensioners	37
Rear Seat Passengers	38
Rear Seat Passenger Positions	38
Lap-Shoulder Belt	39
Children	41
Infants and Young Children	41
Restraint Systems for Children	45
Where to Put the Restraint	48
Top Strap	49
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System)	51
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System	53
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position	57
Older Children	60
Safety Belt Extender	63
Checking Your Restraint Systems	63
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash	64
Section 2 Features and Controls	65
Windows	66
Manual Windows	67
Power Windows (Option)	67
Keys	68
Door Locks	70
Power Door Locks (Option)	71
Rear Door Security Locks	72
Leaving Your Vehicle	72
Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)	73
Operation	74
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle	74
Battery Replacement	75
Liftgate/Liftglass	76
Liftgate/Liftglass Release	76
Theft	78
Key in the Ignition	78
Parking at Night	78
Parking Lots	78
Content Theft-Deterrent System (If Equipped)	79
Setting the System	79
Testing the System	80
Activating the System	80
Reactivating the Alarm	81
Cancelling the System	81
New Vehicle "Break-In"	81
Ignition Positions	82
Starting Your Engine	83
AutomaticTransaxle	83
Manual Transaxle	84
Starting Your Engine	84
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)	85
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater	85
Automatic Transaxle Operation	86
Overdrive	89
Manual Transaxle Operation	89
Five-Speed	89
Six-Speed	90
Shift Speeds	92
Manual Transmission Recommended Shift Speeds	92
Parking Brake	93
Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle Only)	94
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running (Automatic Transaxle Only)	95
Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle)	95
Shifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle Only)	96
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transaxle Only)	97
Parking Over Things That Burn	97
Engine Exhaust	98
Running Your Engine While You're Parked (Automatic Transaxle)	98
Horn	99
Tilt Wheel	99
Turn Signal/Malfunction Lever	100
Turn and Lane-Change Signals	100
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer	101
Flash-to-Pass	101
Windshield Wipers	101
Windshield Washer	102
Cruise Control (Option)	103
Setting the Cruise Control	104
Resuming a Set Speed	104
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control	104
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control	105
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control	105
Using Cruise Control on Hills	105
Ending Cruise Control	105
Erasing Speed Memory	105
Exterior Lamps	106
Automatic Light Control (ALC)	107
Lamps on Reminder	107
Daytime Running Lamps	107
Interior Lamps	108
Interior/Instrument Panel Brightness Dial	108
Illuminated Entry System (If Equipped)	109
Reading Lamp (If Equipped)	110
Mirrors	110
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror with Reading Lamps	110
Power Remote Control Rearview Mirrors	111
Convex Outside Mirror	112
Storage Compartments	112
Glove Box	112
Door Storage Compartments	112
Instrumental Panel Storage Compartment	112
Cupholders	113
Console Storage Area	113
Rear Cargo Storage Area	113
Rear Cargo Accessory Track System	114
Cargo Cover	114
Tie-Down Hooks and Tire Tie-Down Belts	115
Luggage Carrier	115
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter	117
Sun Visors	117
Visor Vanity Mirror	117
Accessory Power Outlet	118
Power Outlet 115 Volts Alternating Current (VAC)	119
Floor Mat	120
How to Remove and Replace the Floor Mat	120
Sunroof (Option)	121
Instrument Panel -- Your Information System	122
Instrument Panel Cluster	124
Speedometer and Odometer	125
Trip Odometers	125
Tachometer	126
Temperature Display	126
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators	126
Safety Belt Reminder Lights	127
Air Bag Readiness Light	128
Charging System Indicator Light	129
Brake System Warning Light	129
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light	130
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage	131
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light)	132
If the Light Is Flashing	134
If the Light Is On Steady	134
Emission Inspection and Maintenance Programs	135
Oil Pressure Light	136
Cruise Light	137
Overdrive Of Light	137
Low Windshield Washer Fluid Level Warning Light (Canada Only)	137
Door Ajar Warning Light	137
Fuel Gage	138
Low Fuel Warning Light	139
Navigation System (Option)	140
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems	141
Comfort Controls	142
Climate Control System	142
Mode Knob	142
Fan Knob	142
Temperature Knob	143
Air Conditioning	143
Heating	144
Defogging and Defrosting	144
Rear Window Defogger	145
Ventilation System	146
Ventilation Tips	147
Audio Systems	147
Setting the Time	147
AM-FM Radio with Compact Disc Player with Equalization and Radio Data System (RDS)	148
Playing the Radio	148
Finding a Station	148
Setting Preset Stations	149
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)	149
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)	150
Using RDS	150
Finding a PTY Station	151
Setting Preset PTY Stations	151
RDS Messages	152
Radio Messages	152
Playing a Compact Disc	153
Compact Disc Messages	154
AM-FM Radio with Six-Disc Compact Disc Player with Equalization and Radio Data System (RDS) (Option)	155
Playing the Radio	155
Finding a Station	156
Setting Preset Stations	156
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)	157
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)	157
Using RDS	158
Finding a PTY Station	158
Setting PTY Preset Stations	159
RDS Messages	159
Playing a Compact Disc	160
Playing a Specific Loaded Compact Disc	161
Using Song List Mode	163
Compact Disc Messages	165
Navigation/Radio System (Option)	165
Understanding Radio Reception	166
AM	166
FM Stereo	166
Tips About Your Audio System	167
Care of Your Compact Discs	168
Care of Your Compact Disc Player	168
Fixed Mast Antenna	168
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road	169
Defensive Driving	170
Drunken Driving	171
Control of a Vehicle	174
Braking	174
Anti-Lock Brake System (Option)	175
Using Anti-Lock	177
Braking in Emergencies	177
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System (Option)	177
Steering	178
Power Steering	178
Steering Tips	178
Driving on Curves	178
Steering in Emergencies	179
Off-Road Recovery	180
Passing	180
Loss of Control	182
Skidding	182
Driving at Night	183
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	185
Hydroplaning	187
Driving Through Deep Standing Water	187
Driving Through Flowing Water	188
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips	188
City Driving	189
Freeway Driving	190
Before Leaving on a Long Trip	191
Highway Hypnosis	192
Hill and Mountain Roads	192
Winter Driving	194
Driving on Snow or Ice	195
If You're Caught in a Blizzard	196
Recreational Vehicle Towing	198
Dinghy Towing (Front-Wheel-Drive Vehicles with Manual Transmissions Only)	199
Dolly Towing (Front-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Only)	201
Loading Your Vehicle	202
Towing a Trailer	204
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer	205
Weight of the Trailer	205
Weight of the Trailer Tongue	206
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires	206
Hitches	207
Safety Chains	207
Trailer Brakes	207
Driving with a Trailer	208
Following Distance	208
Passing	208
Backing Up	208
Making Turns	209
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer	209
Driving On Grades	210
Parking on Hills	210
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill	211
Maintenance When Trailer Towing	211
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing	211
Section 5 Problems on the Road	212
Hazard Warning Flashers	213
Other Warning Devices	213
Jump Starting	214
Towing Your Vehicle	220
Engine Overheating	220
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine	221
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine	222
Cooling System	223
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank	225
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator	227
If a Tire Goes Flat	229
Changing a Flat Tire	229
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools	230
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire	233
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools	239
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools	241
Compact Spare Tire	242
If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow	243
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out	244
Using the Recovery Hook	244
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care	246
Service	247
Doing Your Own Service Work	247
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle	248
Fuel	248
Gasoline Octane	249
Gasoline Specifications	249
California Fuel	250
Additives	250
Fuels in Foreign Countries	251
Filling Your Tank	251
Filling a Portable Fuel Container	254
Checking Things Under the Hood	255
Hood Release	255
Engine Compartment Overview	257
Engine Oil	259
Checking Engine Oil	259
When to Add Engine Oil	261
Engine Oil Additives	263
When to Change Engine Oil	264
What to Do with Used Oil	264
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter	265
Passenger Compartment Air Filter	267
Automatic Transaxle Fluid	269
When to Check and Change	269
How to Check	269
Checking the Fluid Level	270
How to Add Fluid	272
Manual Transaxle Fluid	273
When to Check	273
How to Check	273
How to Add Fluid	273
Hydraulic Clutch	274
When to Check and What to Use	274
How to Check and Add Fluid	274
All-Wheel Drive (Option)	275
Transfer Case (Power Transfer Unit)	275
When to Check Lubricant	275
How to Check Lubricant	275
What to Use	275
Carrier Assembly-Differential (Rear Drive Module)	276
When to Check and Change Lubricant	276
How to Check Lubricant	276
What to Use	276
Engine Coolant	276
What to Use	277
Checking Coolant	278
Adding Coolant	278
Radiator Pressure Cap	279
Power Steering Fluid	279
When to Check Power Steering Fluid	279
How To Check Power Steering Fluid	280
What to Use	280
Windshield Washer Fluid	281
What to Use	281
Adding Washer Fluid	281
Brakes	282
Brake Fluid	282
What to Add	284
Brake Wear	285
Brake Pedal Travel	286
Brake Adjustment	286
Replacing Brake System Parts	286
Battery	286
Vehicle Storage	287
Bulb Replacement	287
Halogen Bulbs	287
Headlamps	288
Front Turn Signal Lamps	290
Rear Combination Lamps	290
Back-up Lamps	292
Center High-Mounted Stoplamps (CHMSL)	293
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement	294
Tires	295
High Performance Tire (Option)	296
Inflation -- Tire Pressure	296
When to Check	297
How to Check	297
Tire Inspection and Rotation	297
When It's Time for New Tires	299
Buying New Tires	300
Uniform Tire Quality Grading	301
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A	301
Treadwear	301
Traction -- AA, A, B, C	301
Temperature -- A, B, C	302
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance	302
Wheel Replacement	303
Used Replacement Wheels	304
Tire Chains	305
Appearance Care	306
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle	306
Cleaning of Fabric/Carpet	307
Using Cleaner on Fabric	307
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems	308
Cleaning Vinyl	308
Cleaning Leather	308
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel	309
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components	309
Care of Safety Belts	309
Cleaning Glass Surfaces	309
Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield, Backglass and Wiper Blades	310
Weatherstrips	310
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle	310
Washing Your Vehicle	310
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses	311
Finish Care	311
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels (If Equipped)	312
Cleaning Tires	312
Sheet Metal Damage	312
Finish Damage	313
Underbody Maintenance	313
Chemical Paint Spotting	313
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials	314
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)	315
Engine Identification	315
Service Parts Identification Label	315
Electrical System	316
Add-On Electrical Equipment	316
Headlamps Wiring	316
Windshield Wipers Fuses	316
Power Windows and Other Power Options	316
Fuses and Circuit Breakers	317
Instrument Panel Fuse Block	317
Engine Compartment Fuse Block	319
Replacement Bulbs	321
Capacities and Specifications	321
Engine Specifications	322
Wheels and Tires	322
Air Conditioning Refrigerant Capacity	322
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts	323
Section 7 Maintenance Schedule	324
Introduction	325
Your Vehicle and the Environment	325
Maintenance Requirements	325
How This Section is Organized	326
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services	327
Using Your Maintenance Schedule	327
Selecting the Right Schedule	327
Scheduled Maintenance	328
Short Trip/City Definition	328
Short Trip/City Intervals	328
Long Trip/Highway Definition	329
Long Trip/Highway Intervals	330
Footnotes	331
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance	331
Footnotes	331
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance	350
Footnotes	350
Part B: Owner Checks and Services	360
At Each Fuel Fill	360
Engine Oil Level Check	360
Engine Coolant Level Check	360
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check	360
Hood Latch Operation Check	360
At Least Once a Month	361
Tire Inflation Check	361
At Least Twice a Year	361
Restraint System Check	361
Wiper Blade Check	361
Weatherstrip Lubrication	361
Fluid Level Check	361
Manual Transaxle Check	361
Automatic Transaxle Check	361
At Least Once a Year	362
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections	365
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection	365
Exhaust System Inspection	365
Fuel System Inspection	365
Engine Cooling System Inspection	366
Throttle System Inspection	366
Brake System Inspection	366
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	367
Part E: Maintenance Record	370
Section 8 Customer Assistance Information	372
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	373
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	374
Customer Assistance Offices	375
United States	375
Canada	375
All Overseas Locations	375
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/ Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U. S. Virgin Islands)	375
GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities	376
Roadside Assistance Program	376
Security While You Travel	376
Canadian Roadside Assistance	377
Courtesy Transportation	378
Plan Ahead When Possible	378
Transportation Options	378
Shuttle Service	378
Public Transportation or Fuel Reimbursement	379
Courtesy Rental Vehicle	379
Additional Program Information	379
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government	380
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government	380
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors	380
SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION	381
Service Manuals	381
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit Repair Manual	381
Service Bulletins	381
Owner's Information	381

Match case Limit results 1 per page

2-43

Automatic Light Control (ALC)

Your vehicle is equipped with 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, your ALC will turn on

your low

beam headlamps at the normal brightness

along with other lamps such as the taillamps,

sidemarker, parking lamps and instrument panel lights.

The parking brake must be released for ALC to work.

This is indicated by the headlamp symbol on your

instrument panel cluster.

If you are driving through a parking garage, overcast

weather, or a tunnel, the ALC may turn on your

low

beam headlamps at a normal brightness along with

the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the

instrument panel lights. The radio lights will be dimmer,

and the instrument panel cluster lights may dim. There

will be a 10 to 15 second delay before the lights will

turn on when starting the car at night.

Lamps On Reminder

If you turn the ignition to LOCK or ACC and leave

the lamps on, you’ll hear a tone when you open the

driver’s door.

Daytime Running Lamps

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 first sold in Canada.

The DRL system will make your 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 and

the parking brake is released.

When the DRL are on, only your headlamps will be on

at a reduced brightness. The taillamps, sidemarker and

other lamps won’t be on. Your instrument panel won’t

be lit up either.

When you turn the exterior lamp switch to the headlamp

position, your DRL will go off and your headlamps will

come on. The other lamps that come on with your

headlamps will also come on.