PONTIAC VIBE 2010 Owners Manual

Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder and, on
manual transmission vehicles, the
clutch hydraulic system use the
same reservoir. The reservoir is filled
with DOT-3 brake fluid as indicated
on the reservoir cap. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6
for the location of the reservoir. There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir
might go down:
•The brake fluid level goes down
because of normal brake lining
wear. When new linings are
installed, the fluid level goes
back up.
•A fluid leak in the brake and/or
clutch hydraulic system can also
cause a low fluid level. Have the
brake and/or clutch hydraulic
system fixed, since a leak means
that sooner or later the brakes
and/or clutch will not work well.
Do not top off the brake/clutch fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are installed. Add or remove brake fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake/clutch hydraulic system.
{CAUTION
If too much brake fluid 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 fluid only when work
is done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light on page 4-17.
Vehicle Care 9-27

What to Add
Use only new DOT-3 brake
fluid from a sealed container.
SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-15 .
Always clean the brake fluid
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 fluid 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 fluid. 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.
Battery
This vehicle has a maintenance
free battery. When it is time for a
new battery, see your dealer/retailer
for one that has the replacement
number shown on the original
battery’s label. See
Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 9-6 for battery location.
{WARNING
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.
9-28 Vehicle Care

Vehicle Storage
{CAUTION
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. SeeJump Starting
on page 9-69 for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: If the vehicle
is driven infrequently, remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery. This helps keep the battery
from running down.
Extended Storage: For extended
storage of the vehicle, remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery or use a battery trickle
charger. This helps maintain the
charge of the battery over an
extended period of time.
All-Wheel Drive
If you have an all-wheel-drive
vehicle, be sure to perform the
lubricant checks described in this
section.
Transfer Case
(Power Transfer Unit)
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine how often to check
the lubricant. See Scheduled
Maintenance on page 10-3 .
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the
vehicle should be on a level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of
the filler plug hole, you’ll need to add
some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the
filler plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine what kind of lubricant to
use. See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-15 .
Carrier Assembly-Differential
(Rear Drive Module)
When to Check and Change
Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine how often to check the
lubricant and when to change it.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 10-3.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the
vehicle should be on a level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of
the filler plug hole, you’ll need to add
some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the
filler plug hole. A fluid loss could
indicate a problem; check and have
it repaired, if needed.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine what kind of lubricant to
use. See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-15 .
Vehicle Care 9-29

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.
See Parking Brake on page 8-33 .
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
floor. If the vehicle starts when
the clutch pedal is not pushed
all the way down, contact your
dealer/retailer for service.
Wiper Blade
Replacement
Front Windshield Wiper
Windshield wiper blades should
be inspected at least twice a year
for wear or cracking.
Replacement blades come in
different types and are removed
in different ways. To remove
the wiper blade:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm away from the windshield.
9-30 Vehicle Care

2. Push the release lever and slidethe wiper assembly toward the
driver side of the vehicle. 3. Slide the new wiper assembly
into place.
4. Push the release lever down to lock into place.
Rear Windshield Wiper
1. Disengage the two pins anddisconnect the rear wiper arm by
pulling them up.
Vehicle Care 9-31

2. Raise the wiper arm until itcomes off.
You will hear a clicking sound
when the arm comes off. 3. Push the rear wiper assembly
straight into the rear wiper arm.
4. Reengage the two pins to the rear wiper arm by pushing
them down.
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset at
the factory and should need no
further adjustment.
However, if your vehicle is damaged
in a crash, the headlamp aim may
be affected. Aim adjustment to the
low-beam headlamps may be
necessary if oncoming drivers flash
their high-beam headlamps at you
(for vertical aim).
If the headlamps need to be
re-aimed, it is recommended that
you take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer for service.
9-32 Vehicle Care

Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs
on page 9-37.
For any bulb changing procedure
not listed in this section, contact
your dealer/retailer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION
Halogen bulbs have pressurized
gas inside and can burst if you
drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and follow the instructions
on the bulb package.
Headlamps and Parking
Lamps
A. High-beam Headlamp
B. Turn Signal Lamp/Parking Lamp
C. Low-beam Headlamp
High-beam and Low-beam
Headlamps
To replace the High-beam or
Low-beam Headlamp:
1. Open the hood. See Hood on
page 9-5.
2. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull it out
of the headlamp assembly.
Vehicle Care 9-33

3. Unplug the connector whilepressing down on the release tab.
4. Pull the old bulb straight out.
5. Push the new bulb straight in until it clicks.
6. Push the bulb socket into the headlamp assembly and turn
it clockwise to secure it in
its original location.
Front Turn Signal Lamp and
Parking Lamp
To replace the Front Turn Signal
Lamp or Parking Lamp:
1. Open the hood. See Hood on
page 9-5.
2. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull
it out of the lamp assembly. 3. Pull the old bulb straight out of
the bulb socket.
4. Push the new bulb straight in until it clicks.
5. Push the bulb socket into the lamp assembly and turn
clockwise to secure it in its
original location.
9-34 Vehicle Care

Taillamps
A. Turn Signal Lamp
B. Stoplamp/SidemarkerLamp/Taillamp
C. Back-up Lamp To replace one of these lamps:
1. Open the liftgate.
2. Remove the storagecompartment cover in the
rear cargo area of the vehicle
to access the bulbs.
3. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull it out.Passenger Side
Driver Side
Vehicle Care 9-35

4. Pull the bulb straight out of thesocket.
5. Push the new bulb straight in until it clicks to secure.
6. Push the bulb socket in and turn it clockwise to secure.
7. Reinstall the cover.
License Plate Lamp
To replace the license plate
lamp bulb:
1. Press the tabs in to disengage them and remove the license
plate lamp assembly. 2. Turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise to remove it
from the license plate assembly.
3. Pull the bulb straight out of the bulb socket.
4. Push the new bulb straight in the bulb socket until it clicks.
5. Push the bulb socket straight into the license plate assembly and
turn it clockwise to secure it.
6. Reinstall the license plate assembly into its original location
making sure the tabs reengage.
9-36 Vehicle Care