PONTIAC VIBE 2009 Owners Manual

At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Inspect the tires and make sure the
tires are inated to the correct
pressures. Do not forget to check
the spare tire. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 9-47.
At Least Twice a Year
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear,
cracking, or contamination. Clean
the windshield and wiper blades,
if contaminated. Replace wiper
blades that are worn or damaged.
SeeWindshield Wiper Blade
Replacement on page 9-25and
Exterior Cleaning on page 9-86for
more information.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips
will make them last longer, seal
better, and not stick or squeak.
Apply silicone grease with a clean
cloth. During very cold, damp
weather more frequent application
may be required. SeePart D:
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-18.
Fluid Level Check
Check the power steering pump,
rear axle, transfer case, and
automatic or manual transmission
uid levels and add as needed.
SeeAutomatic Transmission
Fluid on page 9-14orManual
Transmission Fluid on page 9-16.
Check for leaks. A uid loss in these
systems could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and
repaired at once.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with
the lubricant specied in Part D.
Seat Operation Check
Make sure the head restraints stay
in position and all seat latches
lock. Check that the recliner holds
by pushing and pulling the seatback
while it is reclined.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all hood latch assembly,
secondary latch, pivots, spring
anchor, release pawl, hood and body
door hinges, rear compartment, and
any folding seat hardware. Part D
tells you what to use. More frequent
lubrication might be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment.
Service and Maintenance 11-13
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could move
suddenly. If the vehicle moves,
you or others could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be
sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking
brake and the regular brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 8-12.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it starts.3. For automatic transmission
vehicles, try to start the engine in
each gear. The vehicle should
start only in P (Park) or
N (Neutral). If the vehicle starts
in any other position, contact
your dealer/retailer for service.
For manual transmission
vehicles, put the shift lever
in Neutral, push the clutch pedal
down halfway, and try to start
the engine. The vehicle should
start only when the clutch
pedal is pushed down all the
way to the oor. If the vehicle
starts when the clutch pedal
is not pushed all the way down,
contact your dealer/retailer
for service.
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control System Check
{CAUTION
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could move
suddenly. If the vehicle moves,
you or others could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be
sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 8-12.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the
ignition to ON/RUN, but do
not start the engine. Without
applying the regular brake,
try to move the shift lever out
of P (Park) with normal effort.
If the shift lever moves out
of P (Park), contact your
dealer/retailer for service.
11-14 Service and Maintenance
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Ignition Transmission Lock
Check
While parked, and with the parking
brake set, try to turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever
position.
For automatic transmission
vehicles, the ignition should turn
to LOCK/OFF only when the shift
lever is in P (Park).
For manual transmission vehicles,
the ignition should turn to LOCK/
OFF only if you push the ignition
key in farther, while turning it
toward LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer/retailer if
service is required.
Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{CAUTION
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake,
set the parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s
holding ability: With the engine
running and transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular
brake pedal. Do this until the
vehicle is held by the parking
brake only.
To check the P (Park)
mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer/retailer if
service is required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain
water to ush any corrosive
materials from the underbody.
Take care to clean thoroughly
any areas where mud and other
debris can collect.
Service and Maintenance 11-15
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Part C: Periodic
Maintenance Inspections
Listed in this part are inspections
and services which should be
performed at least twice a year,
for instance, each spring and fall.
You should let your dealer/retailer
do these jobs. Make sure any
necessary repairs are completed
at once.
Proper procedures to perform these
services can be found in a service
manual. SeeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 12-16.
Steering, Suspension
and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear
suspension and steering system for
damaged, loose, or missing parts
or signs of wear. Inspect power
steering cables for proper hook-up,
binding, cracks, chang, etc.
Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage,
tears, or leakage. Replace seals
if necessary.
Exhaust System
Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust
system. Inspect the body near the
exhaust system. Look for broken,
damaged, missing, or out-of-position
parts as well as open seams, holes,
loose connections, or other
conditions which could cause a heat
build-up in the oor pan or could
let exhaust fumes into the vehicle.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 8-16.
Fuel System Inspection
Inspect the complete fuel system for
damage or leaks.
11-16 Service and Maintenance
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Engine Cooling System
Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them
replaced if they are cracked, swollen
or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
ttings 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, chang, etc. Inspect disc
brake pads for wear and rotors for
surface condition. Inspect other
brake parts, including calipers,
parking brake, etc. You may need
to have your brakes inspected more
often if your driving habits or
conditions result in frequent braking.
Service and Maintenance 11-17
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part number, or specication can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer.
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Engine oil which meets GM Standard GM6094M and displays the
American Petroleum Institute Certied for Gasoline Engines starburst
symbol. To determine the proper viscosity for your vehicle’s engine,
see
Engine Oil on page 9-9 .
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. See
Engine Coolant on page 9-18 .
Hydraulic Brake/Clutch System Delco
®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield Washer Solvent Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Manual Transmission GM Goodwrench
®Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346190, in Canada 10953477 — 1 quart) or
SAE 75W-90 GL-5 gear oil.
Automatic Transmission Use only T-IV Automatic Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 88900925,
in Canada 22689186).
Key Lock Cylinders Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Manual Transmission Shift Linkage Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or
lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
11-18 Service and Maintenance
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

UsageFluid/Lubricant
Clutch Linkage Pivot Points Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or
lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Floor Shift Linkage Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. U.S. 12346293,
in Canada 992723) or lubricant meeting requirements of
NLGI #2 Category LB or GC-LB.
Chassis Lubrication Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or
lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary
Latch, Pivots, Spring Anchor, and
Release Pawl Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. U.S. 12346293,
in Canada 992723) or lubricant meeting requirements of
NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip Conditioning Weatherstrip Lubricant (GM Part No. U.S. 3634770, in Canada 10953518)
or Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part No. U.S. 12345579,
in Canada 992887).
Service and Maintenance 11-19
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Part E: Maintenance Record
After the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer reading, and who performed the service and
any additional information from “Owner Checks and Services” or “Periodic Maintenance” on the following record
pages. Also, you should retain all maintenance receipts.
Maintenance Record
DateOdometer
Reading Serviced By
Maintenance Record
11-20 Service and Maintenance
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Maintenance Record (cont’d)
DateOdometer
Reading Serviced By
Maintenance Record
Service and Maintenance 11-21
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Maintenance Record (cont’d)
DateOdometer
Reading Serviced By
Maintenance Record
11-22 Service and Maintenance
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual