PONTIAC VIBE 2006 Owners Manual

Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airow around it. This may cause wind
noise and affect windshield washer performance. Check
with your dealer before adding equipment to the
outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
The 8th digit of your vehicle identication number (VIN)
shows the code letter or number that identies your
engine. You will nd the VIN at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle Identication
Number (VIN) on page 5-89.
Gasoline Octane
If your vehicle has the 1.8L engine (VIN Code 8), use
regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of
87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87, you
may notice an audible knocking noise when you drive,
commonly referred to as spark knock. If this occurs,
use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane
or higher and you hear heavy knocking, your engine
needs service.
If your vehicle has the 1.8L H.O. DOHC engine
(VIN Code L), use premium unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane rating of 91 or higher. In an emergency,
you can use regular unleaded gasoline with an
octane rating of 87 or higher. If 87 octane fuel is used,
do not perform any aggressive driving maneuvers
such as wide open throttle applications. You may also
hear audible spark knock during acceleration. Rell your
tank with premium fuel as soon as possible to avoid
damaging your engine. If you are using gasoline rated at
91 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking,
your engine needs service.
5-5

Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specication D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 in Canada. Some gasolines may
contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
General Motors recommends against the use of
gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 5-6
for additional information.
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specications. See the underhood
emission control label. If this fuel is not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, your
vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp may turn on and your vehicle may fail a
smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 3-35. If this occurs, return to your authorized GM
dealer for diagnosis. If it is determined that the
condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing your emission control system to work
properly. In most cases, you should not have to add
anything to your fuel. However, some gasolines contain
only the minimum amount of additive required to
meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
To help keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean,
or if your vehicle experiences problems due to
dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline that is
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Also, your
GM dealer has additives that will help correct and
prevent most deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in
your area. General Motors recommends that you use
these gasolines if they comply with the specications
described earlier. However, E85 (85% ethanol)
and other fuels containing more than 10% ethanol must
not be used in vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.
5-6

Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage would not be covered under
your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors
recommends against the use of such gasolines. Fuels
containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs
and the performance of the emission control system may
be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may turn
on. If this occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
service.Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
5-7

Filling the Tank
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel re can
cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to
you and others, read and follow all the
instructions on the pump island. Turn off your
engine when you are refueling. Do not smoke
if you are near fuel or refueling your vehicle.
Keep sparks, ames, and smoking materials
away from fuel. Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended when refueling your vehicle — this
is against the law in some places. Keep
children away from the fuel pump; never let
children pump fuel.The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged fuel
door on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
The fuel door release lever
is located near the oor
under the driver’s seat on
the outboard side.
5-8

To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly counterclockwise.
On some vehicles you may have to push in while
turning the cap.
While refueling, hang the fuel cap inside of the
fuel door.
{CAUTION:
If you spill fuel and then something ignites it,
you could be badly burned. Fuel can spray out
on you if you open the fuel cap too quickly.
This spray can happen if your tank is nearly
full, and is more likely in hot weather. Open
the fuel cap slowly and wait for any hiss noise
to stop. Then unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overll the
tank, and wait a few seconds after you have nished
pumping before removing the nozzle. Clean fuel
from painted surfaces as soon as possible. See
Washing Your Vehicle on page 5-85.When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise until it
clicks. Make sure the cap is fully installed. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. This would allow fuel
to evaporate into the atmosphere. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-35.
{CAUTION:
If a re starts while you are refueling, do not
remove the nozzle. Shut off the ow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by notifying the
station attendant. Leave the area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get
the right type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get the wrong type, it may not t properly.
This may cause your malfunction indicator lamp to
light and may damage your fuel tank and emissions
system. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 3-35.
5-9

Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from
the container can ignite the gasoline vapor.
You can be badly burned and your vehicle
damaged if this occurs. To help avoid injury to
you and others:
Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed, or
on any surface other than the ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with the
inside of the ll opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the lling is complete.
Do not smoke while pumping gasoline.
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start a re. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake uid, windshield washer and
other uids, and plastic or rubber. You or
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.
5-10

Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the release
handle with this symbol
on it. It is located
below the instrument
panel to the left of
the steering wheel.
2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and pull up on
the secondary hood release. The lever is located
near the middle of the hood.
3. Lift the hood.
4. Release the hood prop rod from its retainer and put
it into the slot in the hood. To insert the hood prop
rod into the slot, move it straight up. If it is
moved to the side or toward the inside of the
vehicle, it may become detached.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the ller caps are
on properly. Make sure to return the hood prop rod
carefully back to its retainer to avoid damaging
the vehicle.
5-11

Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood of the 1.8L L4 (VIN Code 8) engine, you will see the following:
5-12

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-36.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-35.
C. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-28.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-16.
E. Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System on
page 5-30.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-16.G. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick (If Equipped).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 5-21.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir and Hydraulic
Clutch (If Equipped). See “Brake Fluid” underBrakes
on page 5-37andHydraulic Clutch on page 5-25.
I. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
J. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-40.
K. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-94.
5-13

When you open the hood of the 1.8L L4 (VIN Code L) engine, you will see the following:
5-14