check engine PONTIAC VIBE 2005 Owner's Guide

{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them.
If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant.
That could cause an engine re, and you could
be burned. Get any leak xed before you drive
the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fan is running.
If the engine is overheating, the fan should be running.
If it is not, your vehicle needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you have not found a problem yet, but the coolant
level is not at or above the FULL mark, add a
50/50 mixture ofclean, drinkable waterand DEX-COOL
®
coolant at the coolant recovery tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-28for more information about the
proper coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and a proper coolant.
5-33

Power Steering Fluid
The power steering uid
reservoir is located in the
engine compartment
on the passenger’s side of
the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for
reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
You can check your uid without taking the cap off.
Just look at the reservoir.
When the engine compartment is hot, the level
should be between the HOT marks.
When the engine compartment is cool, the level
should be between the COLD marks.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to use, seePart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-19.
Notice:When adding power steering uid or
making a complete uid change, always use the
proper uid. Failure to use the proper uid can
cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
5-37

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

Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
This is the legal identier for your vehicle. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on
the driver’s side. You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certication and Service Parts
labels and the certicates of title and registration.
Engine Identication
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code.
This code will help you identify your engine,
specications and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identication Label
You will nd this label on your spare tire cover. It is very
helpful if you ever need to order parts. On this label,
you will nd the following:
VIN
Model designation
Paint information
Production options and special equipment
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice:Don’t add anything electrical to your vehicle
unless you check with your dealer rst. Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle and
the damage wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
Some add-on electrical equipment can keep other
components from working as they should.
Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to your vehicle, seeServicing
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-60.
5-95

Maintenance Schedule......................................6-2
Introduction...................................................6-2
Maintenance Requirements..............................6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................6-2
How This Section is Organized.........................6-3
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services...........6-4
Using Your Maintenance Schedule....................6-4
Scheduled Maintenance...................................6-4
Part B: Owner Checks and Services................6-13
At Each Fuel Fill..........................................6-13
At Least Once a Month.................................6-13
At Least Twice a Year...................................6-14At Least Once a Year...................................6-14
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections.........6-17
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection............................6-17
Exhaust System Inspection............................6-17
Fuel System Inspection..................................6-17
Engine Cooling System Inspection...................6-18
Throttle System Inspection.............................6-18
Brake System Inspection................................6-18
Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants..........................................6-19
Part E: Maintenance Record...........................6-21
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
6-1

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your dealer
for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections and
recommended uids and lubricants as prescribed in this
manual are necessary to keep your vehicle in good
working condition. Any damage caused by failure
to follow scheduled maintenance may not be covered
by warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. Improper vehicle maintenance can
even affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper
uid levels or the wrong tire ination can increase
the level of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect
our environment, and to keep your vehicle in good
condition, be sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
6-2

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 6-18.
5,000 Miles (8 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace lter if necessary.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote †.)
10,000 Miles (16 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace lter if necessary.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote †.)
15,000 Miles (24 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-68for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace lter if necessary.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote †.)
❑Inspect passenger compartment air lter.
❑Change transfer case uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
❑Change rear differential uid when doing frequent
trailer towing.
6-5

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals specied to
help ensure the safety, dependability and emission
control performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add the proper
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-28for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper uid if necessary. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-38for further details.
Hood Latch Operation Check
Pull the primary hood latch release handle inside the
vehicle. The secondary latch should keep the hood from
opening all the way when the primary latch is released.
Make sure the hood closes rmly. SeeHood Release
on page 5-10for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Visually inspect your tires and make sure tires are inated
to the correct pressures. Do not forget to check your
spare tire. SeeTires on page 5-57for further details.
6-13