fuel PONTIAC VIBE 2003 Owner's Manual

6-7
The fuel cap is behind a hinged door on the driver's side
of your vehicle.
The fuel door release lever
is located near the floor
under the driver's seat on
the outboard side.

6-8
While refueling, hang the fuel cap inside the fuel door.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise).
CAUTION:
If you get fuel on yourself 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 ªhissº
noise to stop. Then unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. See ªCleaning the Outside
of Your Vehicleº in the Index.

6-9
When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make sure
you fully install the cap. 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. See ªMalfunction Indicator Lampº in
the Index.
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 fit properly. This
may cause your malfunction indicator lamp to
light and may damage your fuel tank and
emissions system. See ªMalfunction Indicator
Lampº in the Index.
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
CAUTION:
Never fill 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 fill 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 fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.

Don't smoke while pumping gasoline.

6-14
Engine Oil
If the engine oil pressure
light appears on the
instrument cluster, it means
you need to check your
engine oil level right away.
For more information, see
ªEngine Oil Pressure Lightº
in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
1.8L Code 8 engine shown,
1.8L Code L engine similar
The engine oil dipstick is located in the center of the
engine compartment. The dipstick handle is a yellow
loop. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index
for more information on location.

6-51 High Performance Tire (Option)
If this vehicle has the optional 17-inch P215/50ZR17
size tires, they are ªhigh performanceº tires. High
performance tires are designed for very responsive
driving on wet or dry pavement, but they may not offer
the traction you would like on snow or ice covered
roads. You may also notice more road noise with high
performance tires and that they tend to wear faster. Also,
see ªTire Inspection and Rotationº later in this section or
in the Index.
For cold weather driving conditions, you may prefer to
get tires designed for snow or ice. See your Pontiac
dealer for details regarding winter tire availability and
proper tire selection. Also, see ªBuying New Tiresº later
in this section or in the Index.
Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label, which is in your
glove compartment, shows the correct inflation
pressures for your tires when they're cold. ªColdº
means your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
NOTICE:
Don't let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It's not. If your tires
don't have enough air (underinflation), you can
get the following:

Too much flexing

Too much heat

Tire overloading

Bad wear

Bad handling

Bad fuel economy
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:

Unusual wear

Bad handling

Rough ride

Needless damage from road hazards

6-68
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch
-up
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer's body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on the
underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan and
exhaust system even though they have corrosion
protection.At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can do
this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This damage
can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet
-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched into
the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this, Pontiac
will repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs first.

6-74
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
This engine compartment fuse block is located in the
engine compartment on the driver's side of the vehicle
near the air cleaner. See ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index for more information on
location.Fuse/Relay Usage
HEAD MAIN Right Headlamp,
Left Headlamp Fuses
ALT
-S Charging System
EFI Electronic Fuel Injection System
HAZARD Turn Signal Lamps,
Emergency Flasher
HORN Horn
DOME Interior Lights, Gauges and
Meters, Audio System, Remote
Keyless Entry System
MAIN Starter System, AM2 Fuse
AMP Audio Amplifiers
MAYDAY Not Used

6-75
Fuse/Relay Usage
DIMMER Headlamp Dimmer (Relay)
SPARE Spare Fuse
SPARE Spare Fuse
SPARE Spare Fuse
HORN Horn
FAN NO. 2 Cooling Fan System (Relay)
FAN NO. 1 Cooling Fan System (Relay)
ABS NO. 2 Anti
-lock Brake System
RDI FAN Electronic Cooling Fan SystemFuse/Relay Usage
ABS NO. 1 Anti
-lock Brake System
ALT Charging System, DEFOG,
HEATER, GAUGE, ECU
-IG,
WIPER, RR WIP, WASHER, ABS
NO. 1, ABS NO. 2, RDI FAN,
FOG, GAUGE, INV, AM1 Fuses
HEAD RH Right
-hand Headlamp
HEAD LH Left
-hand Headlamp
EFI Electronic Fuel Injection
System (Relay)
FOG Front Fog Lamps

6-76
Replacement Bulbs
Lamps Bulb Number
Headlamp High
-/Low-Beam 9003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Turn Signal 1157NA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stoplamps/Taillamps 7443. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Back
-Up Lamps 7440. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Turn Signal 7440. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHMSL 921. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capacities and Specifications
The following approximate capacities are given in
English and metric conversions.
Cooling System
1.8L Engine (Code 8) 6.9 quarts (6.5 L). . . . . . . . .
1.8L H.O. Engine (Code L) 7.1 quarts (6.7 L). . . . Engine Oil with Filter
1.8L Engine (Code 8) 3.9 quarts (3.7 L). . . . . . . . .
1.8L Engine (Code L) 4.8 quarts (4.4 L). . . . . . . . .
Fuel Tank
With AWD 12.0 gallons (45.0 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Without AWD 13.0 gallons (49.0 L). . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic Transaxle
1.8L Engine (Code 8) 3.3 quarts (3.1 L). . . . . . . . .
1.8L Engine (Code 8)
with AWD 3.1 quarts (2.9 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual Transaxle
Five-Speed 2.0 quarts (1.9 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Six
-Speed 2.4 quarts (2.3 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Differential0.5 quarts (0.5 L) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transfer Case0.8 quarts (0.8 L) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to
fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. See ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº
in the Index.

7-4
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we don't know
exactly how you'll drive it. You may drive very short
distances only a few times a week. Or you may drive
long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather.
You may use your vehicle in making deliveries.
Or you may drive it to work, to do errands or in
many other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read the
following and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good
condition, see your dealer.
This part tells you the maintenance services you should
have done and when you should schedule them. If you
go to your dealer for your service needs, you'll know
that GM
-trained and supported service people will
perform the work using genuine GM parts.The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in
Part D. Make sure whoever services your 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. You will find these limits on your vehicle's
Tire
-Loading Information label. See ªLoading Your
Vehicleº in the Index.

are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.

use the recommended fuel. See ªFuelº in the Index.
Selecting the Right Schedule
First you'll need to decide which of the two schedules is
right for your vehicle. Here's how to decide which
schedule to follow: