check engine light PONTIAC VIBE 2005 User Guide

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, seeOil Pressure Light on
page 3-38.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is 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.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
1.8L L4 (VIN Code 8) Engine
5-16

1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
Notice:If the other vehicle’s system is not a 12-volt
system with a negative ground, both vehicles can
be damaged. Only use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump start your vehicle.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles are not touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you do not want. You would not be able
to start your vehicle, and the bad grounding
could damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake rmly on both vehicles involved
in the jump start procedure. Put an automatic
transaxle in PARK (P) or a manual transaxle in
NEUTRAL before setting the parking brake.Notice:If you leave your radio or other accessories
on during the jump starting procedure, they could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always turn off your radio and
other accessories when jump starting your vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter. Turn off the radio and all lamps that are
not needed. This will avoid sparks and help save
both batteries. And it could save the radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the
positive (+) and negative (−) terminal locations on
each vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine is not running and can injure you.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
5-44

{CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing
this, and some have been blinded. Use a
ashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You do
not need to add water to the battery installed
in your new vehicle. But if a battery has ller
caps, be sure the right amount of uid is there.
If it is low, add water to take care of that rst.
If you don’t, explosive gas could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that can burn you.
Do not get it on you. If you accidentally get it
in your eyes or on your skin, ush the place
with water and get medical help immediately.
{CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure
you badly. Keep your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a
shock. The vehicles could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some
basic things you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive (+) or to a remote positive (+) terminal if
the vehicle has one. Negative (−) will go to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (−) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to negative (−)oryou
will get a short that would damage the battery
and maybe other parts too. And do not connect the
negative (−) cable to the negative (−) terminal on
the dead battery because this can cause sparks.
5-45

You need to stop as soon as possible and check your
tires for damage. If a tire is at, seeIf a Tire Goes
Flat on page 5-74andChanging a Flat Tire on
page 5-75. Also check the tire pressure in all four tires,
and set them to the specied level shown on the tire
and loading label. SeeInation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-64for additional information.
Note:The tire pressure monitoring system on
your vehicle will warn you when one of your tires
is signicantly under-inated and when some
combinations of your tires are signicantly
under-inated. However, there are other combinations
of signicantly under-inated tires for which your
tire pressure monitoring system may not warn you.
These other combinations are relatively common,
accounting for approximately half the instances in
which vehicles have signicantly under-inated tires.
For example, your system may not warn you when both
tires on the same side or on the same axle of your
vehicle are signicantly under-inated. It is particularly
important, therefore, for you to check the tire pressure in
all of your tires regularly and maintain proper pressure.
In order for the tire pressure monitoring system to
work properly you will need to reset (initialize) the tire
pressure monitoring system. Any time you check and/or
adjust a tire’s pressure, repair or replace a tire or
wheel or rotate the tires the tire pressure monitor system
needs to be reset.Do not reset (initialize) the system without rst correcting
the cause of the low-tire condition. If the system is
reset when the tire pressures are incorrect, the system
will not function properly and may not alert you when
a tire is low.
To reset (initialize) the system:
1. Park the vehicle at a safe place and apply the
parking brake. Turn the engine off.
2. Turn the ignition to ON with the engine off.
3. If the low-tire pressure
warning light is on,
push the SET (reset)
button for a few
seconds. The low-tire
warning light should go
off. The reset button
is on the instrument
panel to the left of the
steering wheel.
5-66

Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-40
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-37
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-51
Chains, Tire...................................................5-73
Charging System Light....................................3-31
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-35
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-93
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-31
Infants and Young Children...........................1-28
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-38
Older Children.............................................1-26
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-39
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-40
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-42
Top Strap...................................................1-35
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-37
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-34Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-19
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-92
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-90
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-87
Finish Care.................................................5-91
Glass Surfaces............................................5-89
Instrument Panel.........................................5-89
Interior Plastic Components...........................5-89
Leather......................................................5-89
Tires..........................................................5-92
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-93
Vinyl..........................................................5-89
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-90
Weatherstrips..............................................5-90
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades.......5-91
Climate Control System...................................3-20
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-23
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-22
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-27
Coinholder(s)..................................................2-37
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-86
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-15
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
3

E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-95
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-98
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-96
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-96
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-97
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-96
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-96
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-21
Battery.......................................................5-42
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-35
Coolant......................................................5-28
Coolant Heater............................................2-21
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-35
Cooling System Inspection............................6-18
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-32
Oil .............................................................5-16
Overheating................................................5-30
Starting......................................................2-19
Entry Lighting.................................................3-16
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-25
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-21
Finish Damage...............................................5-93
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-65
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-74
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-75
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-84
Floor Mats.....................................................2-38
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-23
Manual Transaxle........................................5-26
Power Steering...........................................5-37
Windshield Washer......................................5-38
Fog Lamps....................................................3-15
Folding Seatback, Passenger............................. 1-5
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-41
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
5

Fuel (cont.)
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Low Warning Light.......................................3-41
System Inspection.......................................6-17
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-98
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-96
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-97
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-96
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-35
Fuel..........................................................3-41
Speedometer..............................................3-27
Tachometer.................................................3-27
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-6
Glove Box.....................................................2-37
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-96
Headlamps
Automatic Headlamp System.........................3-15
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-49
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-49
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps.........................................5-49
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-13
Heater...........................................................3-20
Height Adjuster, Driver Seat............................... 1-3
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-40
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-24
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-14
Hydraulic Clutch.............................................5-27
6

Light (cont.)
Highbeam On.............................................3-40
Lights On Reminder.....................................3-39
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-41
Low Tire Pressure Warning Light...................3-33
Low Washer Fluid Warning...........................3-40
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-35
Oil Pressure...............................................3-38
Overdrive Off..............................................3-40
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-30
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-28
Stabilitrak
®Indicator.....................................3-34
Taillamp Indicator.........................................3-39
TCS Warning Light......................................3-34
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-34
Lighting
Entry.........................................................3-16
Locks
Door........................................................... 2-7
Power Door.................................................. 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-9
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-10
Loss of Control...............................................4-16
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-41
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.......................3-40
M
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts..........5-102
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-13
At Least Once a Month................................6-13
At Least Once a Year..................................6-14
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-14
Brake System Inspection..............................6-18
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-18
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-17
Fuel System Inspection................................6-17
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-13
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections......6-17
Part D - Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants...............................................6-19
Part E - Maintenance Record........................6-21
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..........................6-17
Throttle System Inspection............................6-18
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
8

Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-78
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-76
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-55
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-11
General Motors...........................................7-11
United States Government............................7-10
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems...................1-62
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-63
Restraint Systems
Checking....................................................1-62
Replacing Parts...........................................1-63
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-21
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-6
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-30
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked.......2-33
S
Safety Belt
Pretensioners..............................................1-24
Reminder Light............................................3-28Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-90
Driver Position............................................1-14
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-14
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts........1-13
Rear Seat Passengers.................................1-21
Right Front Passenger Position......................1-21
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-25
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-21
Safety Belts Are for Everyone......................... 1-8
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster........................1-20
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seatback, Folding Passenger............................. 1-5
Seats
Driver Seat Height Adjuster............................. 1-3
Head Restraints............................................ 1-5
Manual........................................................ 1-2
Passenger Folding Seatback........................... 1-5
Rear Seat Operation...................................... 1-7
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-3
Securing a Child Restraint
Designed for the LATCH System...................1-39
Rear Seat Position......................................1-40
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-42
11