check engine PONTIAC VIBE 2004 Owner's Guide

Vehicle Identi®cation
Vehicle Identi®cation Number (VIN)
This is the legal identi®er for your vehicle. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on
the driver's side. You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certi®cation and Service Parts
labels and the certi®cates of title and registration.
Engine Identi®cation
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This
code will help you identify your engine, speci®cations
and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identi®cation Label
You'll ®nd this label on your spare tire cover. It's very
helpful if you ever need to order parts. On this label is:
·your VIN,
·the model designation,
·paint information and
·a list of all production options and special
equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice:Don't add anything electrical to your
vehicle unless you check with your dealer ®rst.
Some electrical equipment can damage your vehicle
and the damage wouldn't be covered by your
warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from working as they
should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting
to add anything electrical to your vehicle, see
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-56.
5-97

Maintenance Schedule......................................6-2
Introduction...................................................6-2
Maintenance Requirements..............................6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................6-2
How This Section is Organized.........................6-3
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services...........6-4
Using Your Maintenance Schedule....................6-4
Selecting the Right Schedule...........................6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance..............6-7
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance......6-14
Part B: Owner Checks and Services................6-19
At Each Fuel Fill..........................................6-19
At Least Once a Month.................................6-19At Least Twice a Year...................................6-20
At Least Once a Year...................................6-21
Part C: Periodic MaintenanceInspections.........6-24
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection............................6-24
Exhaust System Inspection............................6-24
Fuel System Inspection..................................6-24
Engine Cooling System Inspection...................6-25
Throttle System Inspection.............................6-25
Brake System Inspection................................6-25
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants. . . .6-26
Part E: Maintenance Record...........................6-28
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
6-1

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your dealer
for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections and
recommended ¯uids and lubricants as prescribed in this
manual are necessary to keep your vehicle in good
working condition. Any damage caused by failure
to follow scheduled maintenance may not be covered by
warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. Improper vehicle maintenance can
even affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper
¯uid levels or the wrong tire in¯ation can increase
the level of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect
our environment, and to keep your vehicle in good
condition, be sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
6-2

Selecting the Right Schedule
First you'll need to decide which of the two schedules is
right for your vehicle. Here's how to decide which
schedule to follow:
Short Trip/City De®nition
Follow the Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance if any
one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
·Most trips are less than 5 miles (8 km). This is
particularly important when outside temperatures
are below freezing.
·Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
·You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top
of your vehicle.
·If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police,
taxi or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down sooner.
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km):Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or 3 months, whichever occurs ®rst).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km):Tire Rotation. Engine
Air Cleaner Filter Inspection, if driving in dusty
conditions.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km):Passenger
Compartment Air Filter Replacement. Transfer Case
Fluid Change (when trailer towing). Rear Differential
Fluid Change (when trailer towing).
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap, Cap Gasket and
Lines Inspection (or every 24 months, whichever occurs
®rst). Automatic Transaxle Check. Manual Transaxle
Fluid Change (severe conditions only) (or every
24 months, whichever occurs ®rst). Cooling System
Service (or every 24 months, whichever occurs ®rst).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km):Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Change (severe conditions only). Valve Clearance
Inspection, adjust if necessary (or every 48 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).
6-5

At 60,000 Miles (100 000 km) (Or 48 Months,
Whichever Occurs First) Ð Then Every 15,000 Miles
(25 000 km) (or 12 Months, Whichever Occurs
First):Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 120,000 Miles (200 000 km):Spark Plug
Replacement.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.
Long Trip/Highway De®nition
Follow this scheduled maintenanceonlyif none of the
conditions from the Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance are true. Do not use this schedule if the
vehicle is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area
or used off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City
schedule for these conditions
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions will cause engine oil to break down
slower.
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km):Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every 12 months, whichever occurs
®rst). Tire Rotation.Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km):Passenger
Compartment Air Filter Replacement.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap, Cap Gasket and
Lines Inspection (or every 24 months, whichever occurs
®rst). Automatic Transaxle Fluid Check. Manual
Transaxle Fluid Change (severe conditions only) (or
every 24 months, whichever occurs ®rst). Cooling System
Service (or every 24 months, whichever occurs ®rst).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km):Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Change (severe conditions only). Valve Clearance
Inspection, adjust if necessary (or every 48 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).
At 60,000 Miles (100 000 km) (or 48 Months,
Whichever Occurs First) Ð Then Every 15,000 Miles
(25 000 km) (or 12 Months, Whichever Occurs
First):Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 120,000 Miles (200 000 km):Spark Plug
Replacement.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.
6-6

Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The service shown at 120,000 miles
(200 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after 120,000 miles (200 000 km) for the life of this
vehicle.
See
Part B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-19andPart C: Periodic MaintenanceInspections on
page 6-24.
Footnotes
²The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle's useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
+A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page 6-25.
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
6,000 Miles (10 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace ®lter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
9,000 Miles (15 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
12,000 Miles (20 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace ®lter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
6-7

30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qReplace passenger compartment air ®lter.
qReplace engine air cleaner ®lter (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).
An Emission Control Service.
qInspect fuel tank, cap, cap gasket and lines for
damage or leaks (or every 24 months, whichever
occurs ®rst). Replace parts as needed.
An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote ².)
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
qDrain, ¯ush and re®ll cooling system (or every
24 months, whichever occurs ®rst). SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-27for 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 ².)
qChange manual transaxle ¯uid every 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) only if your vehicle is used to tow a
trailer.qCheck automatic transaxle ¯uid.
qChange transfer case ¯uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
qChange rear differential ¯uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
33,000 Miles (55 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
36,000 Miles (60 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace ®lter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
6-9

39,000 Miles (65 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
42,000 Miles (70 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace ®lter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qReplace passenger compartment air ®lter.
qCheck automatic transaxle ¯uid.
qChange transfer case ¯uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
qChange rear differential ¯uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
48,000 Miles (80 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace ®lter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
51,000 Miles (85 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
54,000 Miles (90 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace ®lter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
57,000 Miles (95 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
6-10

60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qReplace passenger compartment air ®lter.
qInspect engine accessory drive belts (or every
48 months, whichever occurs ®rst).
An Emission
Control Service.
qReplace engine air cleaner ®lter (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
qInspect for tappet noise and engine vibration. Adjust
valve clearance to factory speci®cations if necessary
(or every 48 months, whichever occurs ®rst).
An Emission Control Service.
qInspect fuel tank, cap, cap gasket and lines for
damage or leaks (or every 24 months, whichever
occurs ®rst). Replace parts as needed.
An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote ².)
qDrain, ¯ush and re®ll cooling system (or every
24 months, whichever occurs ®rst). SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-27for 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 ².)
qChange manual transaxle ¯uid every 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) only if your vehicle is used to tow a
trailer.
qChange automatic transaxle ¯uid every 60,000 miles
(100 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under
one or more of these conditions:
þ In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90ÉF (32ÉC)
or higher.
þ In hilly or mountainous terrain.
þ When doing frequent trailer towing.
þ Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, check the ¯uid. See Part D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-26
for the proper
¯uid to use.
qChange transfer case ¯uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
qChange rear differential ¯uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
63,000 Miles (105 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
6-11

84,000 Miles (140 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace ®lter if necessary.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
87,000 Miles (145 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qReplace passenger compartment air ®lter.
qInspect engine accessory drive belts (or every
12 months since last inspection).
An Emission Control
Service.
qReplace engine air cleaner ®lter (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qInspect fuel tank, cap, cap gasket and lines for
damage or leaks (or every 24 months whichever
occurs ®rst). Replace parts as needed.
An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote ².)
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
qDrain, ¯ush and re®ll cooling system (or every
24 months, whichever occurs ®rst). SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-27for 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 ².)
qChange manual transaxle ¯uid every 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) only if your vehicle is used to tow a
trailer.
qCheck automatic transaxle ¯uid.
qChange transfer case ¯uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
qChange rear differential ¯uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
6-13