GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I was just curious for everyone whom has the Power Package, what are your feelings on the design of the keyless entry? (Like myself) Do you believe they should've added the "Panic" button to it? All comments, and suggestions are more than welcome! Thanks!

I don't really like panic buttons, but I was surprised when we got our Vibe to see it didn't have one.

quote:Do you believe they should've added the "Panic" button to it?I dunno, if I want to panic, I wouldn't want to fumble for a button to do so.

I believe the panic button is part of the security package. No security pacakge, no panic button.

I have the Power Package and the Security, but no panic button on my GT.

I too have the power and security packages and there is no panic button. I am glad it doesn't have one. I find that more people hit it by mistake when trying to open their trunk.

I think Nova was refering to classic GM products. Don't forget the Vibe is a mostly Toyota design (no beep on locking, flashing lights, no programming options like GM: all doors unlock with a single press, no beep on the first press, etc....)My father had a Chevy truck with no security system and it didn't have the panic button. I had a panic button on the keyless entry of my Saturn with the security system... But I don't miss it! It is not so useful.

quote:I was just curious for everyone whom has the Power Package, what are your feelings on the design of the keyless entry? (Like myself) Do you believe they should've added the "Panic" button to it? All comments, and suggestions are more than welcome! Thanks!i've always felt the panic button was a novelty, but not incredibly useful. i can see it having its place for some people in some environments, but i won't miss it not being there when i pick up my car.

That makes sense. I was just surprised since the Cavalier had one.

quote:Actually I think the matrix does have a panic button, it is located on the other side of the fob.Yes, a guy at work has a Matrix AWD with the security system and his fob has a red panic button on the back. I wonder why Pontiac Vibes with the security system don't use these fobs. I wonder if the panic button would work if a Matrix fob with the panic button was programed into a Vibe.

I'm a big fan that the doors automatically lock again after about a minute or so after pressing the unlock and if you haven't opened a door. I don't know of any other GM cars do that. This way if you accidentaly unlock the vehicle you don't have to worry about the car sitting unlocked and vulnerable.

I also like that feature of the car. I just wish that the doors would automatically unlock with the ignition (or that the doors would unlock when you pulled the handle).

I like not having the panic button to worry about. I have accidentally set it off before in my garage and it is very loud.

quote:I'm a big fan that the doors automatically lock again after about a minute or so after pressing the unlock and if you haven't opened a door.I'll 2nd that. I think the lock and unlock buttons are too easy to hit on the fob. I've been walking away from my car and hear the locks click due to something in my pocket hitting one of the buttons.

I'd say leave the panic button off, how many people are going to pay attention to it anyway? I have a friend who has a Focus ZX3 and she thinks it's fun to abuse the panic button.. Pretty annoying.I would like a better design for the keyfob though. I've gone out to the car, hit unlock and nothing happens. Look down at the keyfob and my lock button somehow gets pushed down and will stay there. You have to press down and wiggle it slightly to get it to pop back up, then it's fine. Both keyfobs do this. I think I like the GM design much better...Programmable power door locks would be a nice addition too. You could have it lock to suit your preferences - locking automatically when shifting into gear, unlocking when you switch off the ignition, not locking at all, enabling/disabling chirp when the doors are locked, etc. I think I remember reading something that mentioned the late model Grand Ams having programmable door locks...

Features?Unlock it accidently without opening a door, and it will relock itself after a short while.... Great feature.One button to unlock the lift glass, but not push it open.... Bad feature. I'd rather have had a button to unlock just the tailgate and lift it open for me.Having to watch the lights blink four times when you unlock all doors... Bad feature. I'd rather hear a sexy voice announce "Mr KSNeptune, all your doors are now unlocked!".Being able to unlock my doors without a key (first car with this feature)... GREAT IDEA! My old car has many scratches around the key slot on the door from trying to get the key into it in the dark or with other things in my hands.The ability to lock all the doors with a button on the driver's door when exiting... great idea! Saves wear and tear on the key fob.Ability to unlock doors on approach from more than 100 feet away... Not so useful. The door is usually relocked by the time I'm at the car.Just some thoughts. Good question.KSNeptune.

I have bought a Toyota Matrix keyfob a few months ago with a panic button on back. I programmed it on my Vibe and works fine, and the panic button works TOO! I just have the regular power package not the security system.

quote:I have bought a Toyota Matrix keyfob a few months ago with a panic button on back. I programmed it on my Vibe and works fine, and the panic button works TOO! I just have the regular power package not the security system.Please tell us more!!! What hapens when you hit the panic button? Does the horn go off, etc.? How much for the fob?Thanks,Carl

The lights continuously flash and the horn sounds with the flashing of the lights until you either press the button again or start the car.I bought the matrix key fob on ebay auction for 21.25 inc. shipping back in Feb. The instructions to program a new keyfob are posted in the forums somewhere you probably can do a search to find them, up to 4 can be programmed.

I also purchased a Matrix key fob with the panic button off eBay (cost me $5.00 + 4.25 shipping). It just came in the mail today and after programming it to the car, sure enough, the panic button works!Here's one for same on eBay now:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 1&rd=1Here are the instructions to add a new remote:http://www.novaresource.org/vibe/add_remote.jpg

My Matrix came with the panic button. I don't have a security system -- just the power door locks. I does seem rather strange that Pontiac would leave off this feature -- my last two GM vehicles had it.

quote:I does seem rather strange that Pontiac would leave off this feature -- my last two GM vehicles had it. It doesn't surprise me. Often little obvious features are left off one model year so they can be added as "New and Improved" features later on. They'll claim they completely re-engineered the car when all they really do is enable features that had been there all along. And yes, they'll raise the price.KSNeptune

I have the factory Security alarm Scott, but with no panic button!

Just get a Matrix fob like I did. This auction is over but email the seller about getting one. He is who I got mine from and was very nice to deal with.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... rd=1Donald BiggsEmail: dbiggs04@tampabay.rr.com or nbtdj@yahoo.com

Has anyone ever needed or used the panic button in a real emergency situation? I've had a car (Intrigue) for over 5 years, and never once felt the need to go for the panic button. This is an interesting thread, but I wonder about the utility of the feature.

quote:Has anyone ever needed or used the panic button in a real emergency situation? This is an interesting thread, but I wonder about the utility of the feature.If my wife takes the Vibe shopping, she can find it easier when she leaves the store. This is no joke....I work in a large automotive parts supplier shop, and I have seen co-workers use their "Panic" feature to find their car because they can't remember where they parked 12 hours earlier.

I use my panic button coming with my alrm system to find out my car in a parking lot as well. Plus, I use it to make joke to people who are looking to much close to my car. Otherwise, it is not very usefull.

I like the fact that if the alarm goes off, it automatically locks the door again, if your car is being broken into, they are not going to get in if they pop the lock

The panic buttom would be more useful to find your car by me then it would to serve it's real purpose. Nowadays, people don't even look twice at a car with it's alarm going off. If your not close enough to here the alarm it's almost pointless to have one because no one else cares.

quote:Just get a Matrix fob like I did.I just put a bid on one.Thanks for the info.

I think they should have added on the panic button.. its kinda silly that they didnt sice they gave us everything but the button and the back molding for the button.I just made my own... i took a button that was soldered ontot he PCB of an old tv.. soldered it to the back... drilled a hole in the back panel.... cut the button to make it flush... cut my finger in the process .. and now it werksI really wanted the panic button because i can mess around with my airhorn remotly now

Won my bid (ebay.com) on the Matrix key fob. Should receive it later this week.

I have a matrix xr, and it has a panic button. I'm pretty sure that every matrix (with keyless entry) has the button, and I think it's really weird that the vibes (which have the same system) don't have the button.

maybe holding down the lock button would do it??????????i have no clue......i dont even have the factory alarm

quote:maybe holding down the lock button would do it??????????i have no clue......i dont even have the factory alarmMy aftermarket alarm works that way. Hold the lock button to start the "panic" function

quote:My aftermarket alarm works that way. Hold the lock button to start the "panic" functionGood to hear that im not totally off-base then!

I'm 6'1 215 lbs....of big man.....if I have to look for a panic button it is too late. Plus, nobody is going to even look up since they will believe it is just another car alarm going off.

it doesnt work... some guy wit a matrix told me it would go off if u hit lock like 5 times or something.... that doesnt work either

Scott, thanks for posting the instruction for adding new remotes. LOL, it took me 3 times to program the remote.

Attached files

If we have the same system as the Matrix (RS3200) has anyone tried reprogramming the system? The below link has instructions on how to change some of the settings on the system. Might try it tomorrow if I get a chance. http://www.clubcelica.com/forums/index. ... =15&t=6138&

PB flash........will any of these procedures initiate a "Chirp" when you lock the doors? from the outside? After eading that post I would imagine the programmed chirp one can enable and disable it!.... I tried the IG lock feature, but have been unsuccesfull so far!... I think these might be identical RS3200 alarms but with different features for the vibe..programmed at the factory

I don't think you can get a chirp. I am going to try turning the passive mode on and see what happens. If it works I'll try the IG locks and the door locks as well. Will let you know if I have any luck.

Is there a Pontiac Version for this panic-button-enabled fob?I'd love to have it but having a Toyota fob with a Pontiac is kinda weird.

No there isn't. Pontiac has nothing to do with the RKE system -- it's all Toyota. It's either the generic remote, as comes from the factory, or the Toyota-branded one.