PONTIAC VIBE 2005 Owners Manual

SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is
best for your vehicle. However, if it is going to be
0°F (–18°C) or above and SAE 5W-30 is not
available, you may use SAE 10W-30.
These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity
oils such as SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should also
have the starburst
symbol on the container.
This symbol indicates
that the oil has been
certied by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
You should look for this information on the oil container,
and useonlythose oils that are identied as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and have the starburst symbol
on the front of the oil container.Notice:Use only engine oil identied as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and showing the American
Petroleum Institute Certied For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended
oil can result in engine damage not covered by
your warranty.
GM Goodwrench
®oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is recommend
that you use either an SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil or an
SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will provide easier cold starting and
better protection for your engine at extremely low
temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all you will need for good performance
and engine protection.
5-19

When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short trip/city
maintenance schedule:
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.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi,
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and lter
every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months — whichever
occurs rst.
If none of them are true, use the long trip/highway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and lter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months — whichever
occurs rst. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine
under highway conditions will cause engine oil to
break down slower.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by
taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a
problem properly disposing of your used oil, ask
your dealer, a service station or a local recycling center
for help.
5-20

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/lter is in the engine compartment
on the driver’s side of the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12for more
information on location.
When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
If you are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the
air cleaner/lter at each engine oil change. Replace the
lter every 30,000 miles (48 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. SeePart A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services on page 6-4for more information.
How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter remove the lter from
the vehicle and lightly shake the lter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the lter remains caked with dirt,
a new lter is required.
5-21

To inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter,
do the following:
1. Release the two clips that hold the cover down.
2. Lift the cover off.
3. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter.
4. Reinstall the cover.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned.
The air cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps
to stop ame if the engine backres. If it is
not there and the engine backres, you could
be burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the
air cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre can
cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/lter in place when you
are driving.
5-22

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Check the uid in the transaxle and differential every
30,000 miles (48 000 km). Change the uid 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 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
SeePart A: Scheduled Maintenance Services on
page 6-4.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership service
department.If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage the
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the uid
could come out and fall on hot engine or exhaust
system parts, starting a re. Too little uid could
cause the transaxle to overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if you check the transaxle uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 158°F to 176°F
(70°C to 80°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are
above 50°F (10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C),
you may have to drive longer.
5-23

Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three to ve minutes.Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
The automatic transaxle
dipstick has an orange
handle and is located near
the front of the engine
compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for more
information on location.
1. Release the tab and pull out the dipstick and wipe it
with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
5-24

3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The uid level must be between the two
dimples in the hot range.
4. If the uid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then press the tab
down to lock the dipstick in place.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transaxle uid to use. SeePart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-19.If the uid level is low, add only enough of the proper
uid to bring the level into the area between dimples on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L).Do not overll.
Notice:Use of automatic transaxle uid labeled
other than T-IV Automatic Transaxle Fluid may
damage your vehicle, and the damages may not
be covered by your warranty. Always use T-IV
labeled automatic transaxle uid in your vehicle.
SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-19for more information.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check,” earlier in
this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then press the tab
down to lock the dipstick in place.
5-25

Manual Transaxle Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have your manual transaxle uid level
checked is when the engine oil is changed. However,
the uid in your manual transaxle does not require
changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be difficult, you may choose
to have this done at your Pontiac dealership service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage the
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the uid
could come out and fall on hot engine or exhaust
system parts, starting a re. Too little uid could
cause the transaxle to overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if you check the transaxle uid.Check the uid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place and the transaxle
is cool enough for you to rest your ngers on the
transaxle case.
Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the ller plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the bottom of
the ller plug hole.
3. If the uid level is good, install the plug and be sure
it is fully seated. If the uid level is low, add more
uid as described in the next steps.
How to Add Fluid
Here is how to add uid. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what kind of uid to use.
SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-19.
1. Remove the ller plug.
2. Add uid at the ller plug hole. Add only enough
uid to bring the uid level up to the bottom of the
ller plug hole.
3. Install the ller plug. Be sure the plug is fully seated.
5-26

Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. The master cylinder reservoir is lled with
DOT-3 brake uid.
It is not necessary to regularly check the uid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the system. Adding uid
will not correct a leak.
The hydraulic clutch and brake master cylinder use the
same reservoir.
A uid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
The reservoir is located at
the back of the engine
compartment, on the
driver’s side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for more information
on location.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often you should check the uid level in your master
cylinder reservoir and for the proper uid. SeePart B:
Owner Checks and Services on page 6-13andPart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-19.
How to Check and Add Fluid
Check to make sure that the uid level is at or above
the MIN mark. If the level is below the MIN mark,
see the instructions on the reservoir cap.
5-27

Engine Coolant
Your vehicle was factory-lled with a coolant developed
to last for 100,000 miles (160 000 km) or 5 years,
whichever comes rst. When coolant is added or
changed, use DEX-COOL
®coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-30.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-halfclean, drinkable waterand
one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will not damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you do
not need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
5-28