Pontiac Vibe (2006 year). Manual

Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle)

If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift
into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the vehicle may
put too much force on the parking pawl in the transaxle.
You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever out of
PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To prevent torque
lock, set the parking brake and then shift into PARK (P)
properly before you leave the driver’s seat. To find
out how, see Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transaxle) on page 2-25.

When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) 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 transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).

Shifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic
Transaxle)

Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition is in ON. See Automatic Transaxle Operation
on page 2-18.

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.

2-26

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shift Lock Release

If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still cannot
shift out of PARK (P), try this:

1. Turn the ignition to LOCK. Make sure the parking

brake is applied.

2. Carefully pry the

cover from the shift
lock override, located
to the right of the
shift lever.

3. Insert the end of a flat-tipped tool into the round slot

and press down firmly.

4. While maintaining brake application, move the shift

lever into the drive gear you want.

5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as possible.

Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle)

Before you get out of your vehicle, move the shift lever
into REVERSE (R), and firmly 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 OFF, remove the key and
release the clutch.

If you are parking on a hill, or if your vehicle is pulling a
trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-40.

Evaporation Pump

Your vehicle is equipped with a vacuum pump for the
vehicle’s fuel evaporation system. This pump performs a
fuel evaporation leakage text approximately five 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 you dealer with any questions.

2-27

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Engine Exhaust

{

CAUTION:

Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot
see or smell. It can cause unconsciousness
and death.

You might have exhaust coming in if:

•

Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.

•

Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.

•

Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.

•

Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over
road debris.

•

Repairs were not done correctly.

•

Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.

If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:

•

Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and

•

Have your vehicle fixed immediately.

2-28

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Running the Engine While Parked

It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.

{

CAUTION:

Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-28.

Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.

Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
Winter Driving on page 4-26.

{

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 firmly 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 your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).

Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. See Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)
on page 2-25.

If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also see Towing a Trailer on page 4-40.

2-29

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mirrors

Manual Rearview Mirror

While 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 control at the bottom of the mirror is the day/night
feature that allows adjustment to the mirror so that
the glare of headlamps from behind is reduced. Pull the
control for night driving to reduce glare; push it to
return to the day position.

The mirror may have map lights beneath the mirror.
Push the switch to turn each light on or off.

Manual Rearview Mirror
with OnStar

The vehicle may have an inside rearview mirror with
OnStar

. See your GM dealer for more information on

the system and how to subscribe to OnStar

. See

OnStar

System on page 2-32 for information on the

services OnStar

provides.

While sitting in a comfortable 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 control at the bottom of the mirror is the
day/night feature that allows adjustment to the mirror so
that the glare of headlamps from behind is reduced.
Move the control from left to right for day or night
conditions.

2-30

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Outside Remote Control Mirrors

Your vehicle has outside power adjustable mirrors.

The controls are located
to the left of the
steering wheel on the
instrument panel.

To adjust either mirror, push the button labeled L (left)
or R (right). Use the arrows on the control pad to adjust
the direction of the mirror. Once both mirrors have
been adjusted, move the selector switch back to the
center. This prevents the mirrors from being moved once
they have been adjusted.

Outside Convex Mirror

{

CAUTION:

A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.

The passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be seen from the
driver’s seat.

2-31

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OnStar

System

OnStar

uses global positioning system (GPS) satellite

technology, wireless communications, and live
advisors to provide you with a wide range of safety,
security, information, and convenience services. If your
airbags deploy, the system is designed to make an
automatic call to OnStar

Emergency where we

can request emergency services be sent to your
location. If you lock your keys in the car, call OnStar

1-888-4-ONSTAR and they can send a signal to
unlock your doors. If you need roadside assistance,
press the OnStar

button and they will get you the help

you need.

A complete OnStar

User’s Guide and the Terms and

Conditions of the OnStar

Subscription Service

Agreement are included in the vehicle’s glove box
literature. For more information, visit www.onstar.com or
www.onstar.ca. Contact OnStar

at 1-888-4-ONSTAR

(1-888-466-7827), or press the OnStar

button to speak

to an OnStar

advisor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Terms and conditions of the Subscription Service
Agreement can be found at www.onstar.com or
www.onstar.ca.

OnStar

Services

For new vehicles equipped with OnStar

, the Safe and

Sound Plan is included for one year from the date of
purchase. You can extend this plan beyond the
first year, or upgrade to the Directions and Connections

Plan to meet your needs. For more information, press
the OnStar

button to speak to an advisor.

2-32

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Safe and Sound Plan

•

Advanced Automatic Collision Notification

•

Automatic Notification of Airbag Deployment

•

Emergency Services

•

Roadside Assistance

•

Stolen Vehicle Tracking

•

AccidentAssist

•

Remote Door Unlock/Vehicle Alert

•

Online Concierge

Directions and Connections

Plan

•

All Safe and Sound Plan Services

•

Driving Directions

•

RideAssist

•

Information and Convenience Services

OnStar

Personal Calling

As an OnStar

subscriber, the Personal Calling

capability allows you to make hands-free calls using a
wireless system that is integrated into the vehicle.
Calls can be placed nationwide using simple voice
commands with no additional contracts and no additional
roaming charges. To find out more about OnStar

Personal Calling, refer to the OnStar

User’s Guide in

the vehicle’s glove box, visit www.onstar.com or
www.onstar.ca, or speak to an OnStar

advisor by

pressing the OnStar

button or calling 1-888-4-ONSTAR

(1-888-466-7827).

OnStar

Virtual Advisor

Your vehicle may have Virtual Advisor. It is a feature of
OnStar

Personal Calling that uses your minutes to

access weather, local traffic reports, and stock quotes.
By pressing the phone button and giving a few
simple voice commands, you can browse through the
various topics. Customize your information profile
at www.myonstar.com. See the OnStar

user’s guide

for more information.

2-33

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Storage Areas

Glove Box

Open the glove box by pulling the bottom of the
handle upward.

Cupholder(s)

There are two fixed cupholders located in the console
area between the two front seats. There are also
two cupholders that fold out of the rear of the console
storage unit.

Coinholder(s)

Your instrument panel may have a coinholder located to
the left of the steering wheel and on the center
console near the parking brake.

Instrument Panel Storage Area

There are storage compartments located on the
instrument panel in two places. They are below the
interior/instrument panel brightness dial and below the
shift lever. Pull the top of the door toward you to open it
or for the compartment below the shift lever, push the
button to open it.

Center Console Storage Area

A storage area is located in the console between
the seats.

To access the storage area, pull up the lock release
lever while raising the lid.

Floor Mats

The driver’s side floor mat is held in place by
two locator hooks.

Be sure the driver’s side floor mat is properly placed on
the floor so that it does not block the movement of
the accelerator pedal.

2-34

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How to Remove and Replace the
Floor Mat

To remove the floor mat,
pull up on the rear of the
mat to disconnect it
from the locator hooks.

To reinstall the floor mat, line up the openings in the
floor mat over the locator hooks and push down
into place.

Rear Storage Area

A storage area is located under the rear cargo area
floor panel.

Turn the knobs on the floor
panel to unlock the
storage area access cover.

Be sure to lock the access cover to close it securely.

2-35

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rear Cargo Accessory
Track System

Your vehicle has a track system located on the floor of
the rear cargo area. This system can be used to
carry accessories in your vehicle in many ways by using
the tie-down anchors provided in your vehicle or
accessory packages available from your GM dealer.

Make sure the cargo being carried in the rear cargo area
is secure. See Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-31.

Cargo Cover

To use the cargo cover, loosen the straps and attach
the side hooks of the cargo cover to the upper tie down
hooks located along both sides of the rear cargo
area. Pull straps to adjust.

{

CAUTION:

An improperly stored cargo cover could be
thrown about the vehicle during a collision or
sudden maneuver. You or others could be
injured. If you remove the cover, always store
it in the proper storage location. When you put
it back, always be sure that it is securely
reattached.

2-36

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cargo Tie Downs

The tire tie-down straps are designed to secure a flat
tire. You can also use the straps and hooks to
secure your luggage.

There are eight tie-down hooks located in the rear of
the vehicle. The straps are located under the cargo area
floor panel. To use the straps, hook the ends to the
lower tie-down hooks in a criss-cross pattern across the
cargo. Pull on the straps at the buckle to tighten the
straps as needed.

Sunroof

If the vehicle has a sunroof, it can be opened or put in a
tilt position. To tilt the sunroof, slide the sunshade
rearward, then press the switch marked UP. Press the
other end of the switch to lower the sunroof. The ignition
must be in the ON position for the switch to work.

To open or close the sunroof, press the switch marked
SLIDE rearward or forward. The sunroof will close
partially and stop. Once the sunroof stops, release the
switch and press the button again to fully close it.
The sunroof can be opened to any position. The
sunshade will open when the sunroof is opened. The
sunshade must be closed manually.

2-37

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pontiac Vibe (2006 year). Manual - part 7