11-18 PONTIAC VIBE 2009 Owners Manual

Automatic Transmission
Fluid
When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Check the uid in the transmission
and differential at the intervals listed
inPart A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services on page 11-3, and be
sure to use the transmission uid
listed inPart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on
page 11-18.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
This operation can be difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the
dealer/retailer 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:Use of the incorrect
automatic transmission uid may
damage your vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by
your warranty. Always use the
automatic transmission uid
listed inPart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on
page 11-18.
Wait at least 30 minutes before
checking the transmission 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.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
1. Park your vehicle on a level
place. Keep the engine running.
2. With the parking brake applied,
place the shift lever in P (Park).
3. 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 P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for
three to ve minutes.
9-14 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Then, without shutting off the
engine, follow these steps:
The automatic transmission
dipstick has an orange handle
and is located near the front of the
engine compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6
for 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.
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 Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission uid to use.
Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11-18.
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:Too much or too
little uid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean
that some of the uid could come
out and fall on hot engine parts or
exhaust system parts, starting a
re. Too little uid could cause the
transmission to overheat. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission uid.
3. After adding uid, recheck the
uid level as described under
“How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,” 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.
1.8L shown
Vehicle Service and Care 9-15
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Manual Transmission
Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have your manual
transmission uid level checked
is when the engine oil is changed.
However, the uid in your manual
transmission does not require
changing.
How to Check
This operation can be difficult, you
may choose to have this done
at your dealer/retailer 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 your
transmission. Too much can
mean that some of the uid couldcome out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts,
starting a re. Too little uid
could cause the transmission
to overheat. Be sure to get
an accurate reading if you
check your transmission uid.
Check the uid level only when your
engine is off, the vehicle is parked on
a level place and the transmission is
cool enough for you to rest your
ngers on the transmission 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.Part D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on
page 11-18.
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.
9-16 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

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 side of the vehicle.Engine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6.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.Part B: Owner Checks and
Services on page 11-12andPart D:
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-18.
How to Check and Add Fluid
Check 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.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-17
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

{CAUTION
Adding only plain water to the
cooling system can be dangerous.
Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water
or the wrong mixture, the engine
could get too hot but would not
get the overheat warning. The
engine could catch re and you
or others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much water in the mixture
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other
parts.Notice:If you use extra
inhibitors and/or additives in
your vehicle’s cooling system,
you could damage your vehicle.
Use only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in this
manual for the cooling system.
SeePart D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11-18for
more information.
Gives freezing protection down to
−34°F (−38°C).
Gives boiling protection up to
265°F (129°C).
Protects against rust and
corrosion.
Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Lets the warning lights and gages
work as they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL can cause premature
engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the enginecoolant may require changing
sooner, at 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL (silicate-free)
coolant in your vehicle.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface. When the engine is cold,
the coolant level should be at LOW,
or a little higher. When the engine
is warm, the level should be up to
FULL, or a little higher. If it is not,
there could be a leak at the pressure
cap or in the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump, or
somewhere else in the cooling
system.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6Engine Compartment
Overview for the location of the
coolant recovery tank.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-19
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Do not top off the brake/clutch uid.
Adding uid does not correct a leak.
If uid is added when the brake
linings are worn, there will be too
much uid when new brake linings
are installed. Add or remove uid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake/clutch hydraulic system.
{CAUTION
If too much brake uid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake uid only when work
is done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake uid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 4-17.What to Add
Use only new DOT-3 brake uid
from a sealed container. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11-18.
Always clean the brake uid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering the
reservoir.{CAUTION
With the wrong kind of uid in the
brake or clutch hydraulic system,
the brakes or clutch might not
work well. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper
brake uid.Notice:
Using the wrong uid can
badly damage brake or clutch
hydraulic system parts.
For example, just a few drops
of mineral-based oil, such as
engine oil, in the brake or clutch
hydraulic system can damage
brake or clutch hydraulic
system parts so badly that they
will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong
kind of uid.
If brake uid is spilled on the
vehicle’s painted surfaces, the
paint nish can be damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake
uid on the vehicle. If you do,
wash it off immediately. See
Exterior Cleaning on page 9-86.
9-28 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. Please refer toPart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 11-18 for more information.
Application Capacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a For the air conditioning system refrigerant charge
amount, see the refrigerant caution label located
under the hood. See your dealer/retailer for more information.
Cooling System 1.8L L4 Engine 5.8 qt5.5 L
2.4L L4 Engine 6.0 qt5.7 L
Engine Oil with Filter 1.8L L4 Engine 4.4 qt4.2 L
2.4L L4 Engine 4.5 qt4.3 L
Fuel Tank 13.2 gal50 L
Transmission, Automatic (Complete Drain and Rell) 1.8L L4 Engine 3.1 qt2.9 L
2.4L L4 Engine 3.7 qt3.5 L
10-2 Technical Data
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Service and
Maintenance
Service and Maintenance
Introduction.......................11-1
Maintenance
Requirements..................11-2
Your Vehicle and the
Environment....................11-2
How This Section is
Organized.......................11-2
Part A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services......11-3
Using the Maintenance
Schedule.........................11-3
Scheduled Maintenance. . . .11-4
Part B: Owner Checks
and Services.................11-12
At Each Fuel Fill.............11-12
At Least Once a Month. . .11-13
At Least Twice a Year. . . .11-13
At Least Once a Year.....11-13
Part C: Periodic
Maintenance
Inspections
....................11-16
Steering, Suspension and
Front Drive Axle Boot
and Seal Inspection
.......11-16
Exhaust System
Inspection......................11-16
Fuel System Inspection. . .11-16
Engine Cooling System
Inspection......................11-17
Throttle System
Inspection......................11-17
Brake System
Inspection......................11-17
Part D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants. . . .11-18
Part E: Maintenance
Record..........................11-20
Service and
Maintenance
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at
the proper level and change as
recommended.
Have you purchased the GM
Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements the vehicle warranties.
See the Warranty and Owner
Assistance booklet or your
dealer/retailer for details.
Service and Maintenance 11-1
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

The proper uids and lubricants to
use are listed in Part D. Make
sure whoever services the vehicle
uses these. All parts should be
replaced and all necessary repairs
done before you or anyone else
drives the vehicle.
These schedules are for
vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo
within recommended limits on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. SeeLoading the Vehicle
on page 8-32.
are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving limits.
use the recommended fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on
page 8-36.
Scheduled Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule
up to 120,000 miles (192 000 km)
should be repeated after
120,000 miles (192 000 km) at the
same intervals for the life of this
vehicle.
SeePart B: Owner Checks and
Services on page 11-12,Part C:
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
on page 11-16, andPart D:
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-18.
Footnotes
†The 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
emissions 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 11-17.
5,000 Miles (8 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
10,000 Miles (16 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
11-4 Service and Maintenance
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

❑Change automatic transmission
uid every 60,000 miles
(96 000 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.
If you do not use your vehicle
under any of these conditions, the
fluid does not require changing.
See Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11-18
for the proper uid to use.
65,000 Miles 104 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
70,000 Miles (112 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53
for proper rotation pattern
and additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
75,000 Miles (120 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
❑Inspect passenger compartment
air lter.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive
belts (or 12 months since last
inspection).An Emission
Control Service.
80,000 Miles (128 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
11-8 Service and Maintenance
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual