radiator PONTIAC VIBE 2003 User Guide

6-33 Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a
level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant
level should be at LOW, or
a little higher. When your
engine is warm, the level
should be up to FULL, or
a little higher.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper coolant
mixture at the coolant recovery tank, but be careful
not to spill it.CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost
never have to add coolant at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure cap
-- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator. For
information on how to add coolant to the radiator, see
ªCooling Systemº in the Index.

6-34
Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure
-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location.
Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected and
repaired. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the
Index for reservoir location.
The power steering fluid
reservoir is located in the
engine compartment on
the passenger's side of
the vehicle.

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
7-13
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Lubricate chassis components (or every 6 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote #.)
Replace passenger compartment air filter.
Replace engine air cleaner filter (or every 24 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Inspect fuel tank, cap, cap gasket and lines for damage or leaks
(or every 24 months, whichever occurs first). Replace parts as needed.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 24 months, whichever occurs
first). See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test cooling
system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
Change manual transaxle fluid every 30,000 miles (50 000 km) only if your
vehicle is used to tow a trailer.
Check automatic transaxle fluid.
Change transfer case fluid when doing frequent trailer towing.
Change rear differential fluid when doing frequent trailer towing.ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
7-19
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 24 months, whichever occurs
first). See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test cooling
system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
Change manual transaxle fluid every 30,000 miles (50 000 km) only if your
vehicle is used to tow a trailer.
Change automatic transaxle fluid every 60,000 miles (100 000 km) if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions:
± In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly
reaches 90F (32C) or higher.
± In hilly or mountainous terrain.
± When doing frequent trailer towing.
± Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, check the fluid.
See ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index for the proper
fluid to use.
Change transfer case fluid when doing frequent trailer towing.
Change rear differential fluid when doing frequent trailer towing.

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
7-24
90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Lubricate chassis components (or every 6 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote #.)
Replace passenger compartment air filter.
Inspect engine accessory drive belts (or every 12 months since
last inspection).
An Emission Control Service.
Replace engine air cleaner filter (or every 24 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Inspect fuel tank, cap, cap gasket and lines for damage or leaks
(or every 24 months, whichever occurs first). Replace parts as needed.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 24 months, whichever occurs
first). See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test cooling
system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE

Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance
7-29
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)

Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.

Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote #.)

Replace passenger compartment air filter.

Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)

Replace engine air cleaner filter.
An Emission Control Service.

Inspect fuel tank, cap, cap gasket and lines for damage or leaks
(or every 24 months, whichever occurs first). Replace parts as needed.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 24 months, whichever occurs
first). See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test cooling
system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
Change manual transaxle fluid every 30,000 miles (50 000 km) only if your
vehicle is used to tow a trailer.
Check automatic transaxle fluid.ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE

Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance
7-32
60,000 Miles (100 000 km) (Continued)

Replace engine air cleaner filter (or every 24 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.

Inspect fuel tank, cap, cap gasket and lines for damage
(or every 24 months, whichever occurs first). Replace parts as needed.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
Inspect for tappet noise and engine vibration. Adjust valve clearance to factory
specifications if necessary (or every 48 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 24 months, whichever occurs
first). See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test cooling
system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
Change manual transaxle fluid every 30,000 miles (50 000 km) only if your
vehicle is used to tow a trailer.

Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance
7-35
90,000 Miles (150 000 km)

Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.

Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote #.)

Replace passenger compartment air filter.

Replace engine air cleaner filter.
An Emission Control Service.

Inspect fuel tank, cap, cap gasket and lines for damage or leaks
(or every 24 months, whichever occurs first). Replace parts as needed.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
Inspect engine accessory drive belts (or 12 months since last inspection).
An Emission Control Service.
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 24 months, whichever occurs
first). See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test cooling
system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
Change manual transaxle fluid every 30,000 miles (50 000 km) only if your
vehicle is used to tow a trailer.
Check automatic transaxle fluid.
Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.) ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE

7-43 Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the outside
of the radiator and air conditioning condenser. To help
ensure proper operation, a pressure test of the cooling
system and pressure cap is recommended at least once
a year.
Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding,
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any components that have high effort
or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator and
cruise control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook
-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
Check parking brake adjustment. You may need to have
your brakes inspected more often if your driving habits
or conditions result in frequent braking.